Anuradha’s School of Indian Dances, led by Anuradha Ramkumar, completed 25 years of its existence and celebrated the occasion with a scintillating Bharatanatyam dance drama on Saturday June 5 at Dorothy Winston Centre.
Titled ‘Maha Yugas - Four Epochs of Time’, the dance drama portrayed the process of self-realisation by depicting the four great epochs in Hindu philosophy – Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapar Yuga, Kali Yuga, with fluid movements of the dancers’ feet and arms.
Set in Bharatnatyam dance form, the production showcased colourful costumes, elaborate headgears, exquisite props and splendid choreography.
The two-and-a-half-hour extravaganza was embellished by splendid choreography, colourful costumes, props against a digital backdrop with over 100 students (performers) from diverse ethnic groups, each trained by the maestro Anuradha Ramkumar.
Speaking to the Indian Weekender, Mrs Ramkumar said, “This magnum opus Maha Yugas was in essence, a tribute to the innate talent of the younger members of our society who will in future be a source of pride and act as ambassadors of Indian culture and tradition,”
Mrs Ramkumar expressed satisfaction with the immaculate performances of her students that had left the full house audiences almost speechless and wanting for more at the end of the almost three-hour-long show.
Anuradha Ramkumar is a leading and revered Dance Guru who has trained a large number of dance enthusiasts within the Kiwi-Indian community and beyond in her more than three decades journey of being a seasoned dance teacher.
Elaborating further on the ancient Hindu philosophy, which also acts as a source of spiritual inspiration to most of the classical dance forms emanating from India, including Bharatnatyam, Mrs Ramkumar said, “This dance production was essentially a portrayal of the perceived decline of dharma from Satyug to Kalyug.”
“I think our students did marvellous work and the success of the show is a result of their dedication and hard work,” Mrs Ramkumar said.
She also elaborated her dream of expanding the branches of Anuradha School of Dances from Auckland to other major cities of New Zealand, particularly Wellington and Hamilton.
The full house show has several key attendees, including Honorary Consul of India, Bhav Dhillon. Speaking on occasion, he reflected what could essentially be views of most of the guests at the evening about the magnificent production standards of the show.
“The production quality of this show was right at the top of very high standards,” Mr Dhillon said.
“Such dance show upholds our traditions and keep our cultural ties alive among younger generations.
“It connects the diaspora with our roots,” Mr Dhillon said.
During the post event falicitation ceremony, Mohan Nadkarni Foundation's innaugural Suniti Nadkarni Scholarship was confered on a studnet performer Kavya Spandhana Itla, which was presented by Dr Vasu Hatangdi Chairman of the foundation.
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