Shrimathi Kalyani Sharma conferred Sangeeta Guru Shreshtaa title by Powai Fine Arts

Powai Fine Arts honoured the title as a mark of recognition for the 2 great Tutors of Carnatic Music for their monumental contribution for the development of classical music in Mumbai. Here is an article written by Mrs. Bhanu Kumar in Mulund Powai Times : http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/35/201110152011101415481062967c480f3/Confluence-of-Cognizance.html The program was indeed unique, both in the conception and execution. The performing artistes and teachers who operate in the area of Powai got together to celebrate Devi Navavarna Mahotsavam, hosted by Powai Fine Arts at the SM Shetty School Auditorium on the evening of October 9, in close sequel to Vijayadasami. What better opportunity than this to honour one of the greatest musicians of the area, Kalyani Sharma, a performing Vocalist, Vainika and a teacher by vocation and passion. The evening began with the formal lighting of the lamp and in a deviation from practice the ladies in the audience were called to light the lamp, in the true spirit of Navaratri. Dr Ramakrishnan expressed his happiness in honouring such a meritorious guru and read out the citation. The title of Sangeeta Guru Shreshtaa was conferred upon Kalyani Sharma by PFA and Anantarama Bhagavathar, senior musician from Chembur presented the citation. He congratulated PFA on its efforts and opined that encouragement by way of recognition to local artistes is very important and sabhas in Mumbai should do it. Janaki Krishnamoorthy, senior disciple of Kalyani Sharma paid befitting tribute to her guru while Alamelu Mani, senior singer and contemporary of Kalyani Sharma praised her dedication and shared memories of their melodic journey and joint ventures as musical buddies. Kalyani Sharma in her acceptance speech thanked the organizers. Sidhi Krishnamoorthy, disciple of Sharma explained the significance of the Varnams and the nine chakras. “Gurus together sharing a platform in a program is a rare occurrence and hosting this as a sabha program has happened for the first time in Mumbai,” informs Dr.G Ramakrishnan, President of PFA. Invocation to Ganesha, Dhyana Slokam, nine sequences of Kamakshi Navavarnam composed by Oothukadu Venkata Subbayyar and the final mangalam added up to twelve items in the repertoire. It was a concocted whole using both music and dance to bring out the quintessential bhakti bhava towards Devi. Students of Kalyani mami, along with Mala Shankar and Bala Swaminathan presented the Navavarnams in well synchronized sweetness. The dance gurus of the area, Dr Padmini Radhakrishnan, Dr Suman Badami, Dr Sailaja Desai and Pavitra Bhatt joined in for dance items. Kalyani Navavarnam was the first item when the dancers joined in. “The dancers were so good and matched the excellent choreography. Pavitra Bhatt was the only male dancer and younger than others. Padmini Radhakrishnan, a guru more than a performer looked like the goddess herself,” says Bala Swaminathan. “I would have loved to put up my students as I seldom dance. This was my solo after nearly 25 years. I did Sakhala Loka Nayaki, the seventh Navavarnam in Ragam Arabhi and I had excellent vocal support and the experience was amazing. I really appreciate the efforts of the organizers,” says Dr Padmini Radhakrishnan. “Her presence was very divine and stately. It was a great honour to share the platform with her. The last item the Mangalam was choreographed backstage impromptu just before we entered the stage and we did the Kalinga Narthanam sequence and it came out very well,” says Dr Suman Badami. “We just had a few hours of rehearsal with the orchestra and felt pretty nervous. But singers’ support was so good that we could dance through with ease,” adds Badami.“It is such a nice feeling that gurus can get together and perform on the same stage, putting behind differences in style of dance and competition,” says Dr Sailaja Desai, Kuchipudi exponent and guru from Powai. Pavithra Bhatt, the ever busy dancer could snatch time for the rehearsal and performance and drew an appreciative applause from the viewers. Dr Padma Ramakrishnan, renowned gynecologist from the area waxed into an emotional speech on the qualities of ‘mother’. “The ladies of the music group of Powai took great effort from the decoration to preparation and distribution of prasadam,” says Bala Swaminathan, singer guru from Powai. For the audience the program was an audio visual treat and they carried home not only the transient sweetness of the Laddoo prasadam but the lingering flavour of the programme.