Date:15/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/15/stories/2008121558650700.htm

Tamil Nadu

Adyar K. Lakshman conferred the ‘Nadhabrahmam’ title

Staff Reporter

The annual Isai Natya Nataka Vizha inaugurated at Narada Gana Sabha

— Photo: V.Ganesan

HONOUR: Governor of Chattisgarh E.S.L. Narasimhan (second from left), conferring the title ‘Nadhabrahmam’ on Bharatanatyam exponent Adyar K. Lakshman at the annual festival of Narada Gana Sabha in Chennai on Sunday. R. Krishnamoorthy, president, Narada Gana Sabha and violin exponent Sikkil R. Bhaskaran (extreme right), are in the picture.

CHENNAI: The ‘Bharata’ in Bharatanatyam is ‘Bha for Bhava, Ra for Rasa and Ta for Tala’ and Adyar K. Lakshman epitomises a confluence of the three, said Governor of Chattisgarh E.S.L. Narasimhan.

Mr. Lakshman was conferred the ‘Nadhabrahmam’ title at the inauguration of Isai Natya Nataka Vizha, the annual festival of Narada Gana Sabha, here on Sunday.

Bharatanatyam exponent Padma Subrahmanyam, felicitating Mr. Lakshman, said that he is the “first freelance natuvanar in the field of Bharatanatyam.” She said that he helped all artistes, irrespective of their seniority. Commending his role as a teacher, she said, “His students are now all over the world carrying the torch of our culture without distorting it.”

Violin exponent Sikkil R. Bhaskaran was conferred the Senior Musician Award. Mr. Bhaskaran was the grandson of Bharatanatyam exponent Sikkil Ramaswamy Pillai, said Dr. Subrahmanyam. His knowledge of dance helped him in creating emotive music, she said.

Mr. Narasimhan said that in Carnatic music, the violin is played in the ‘gayaki’ style, which is to play the music as a vocalist would perform it. He said that Mr. Bhaskaran brought notes to life being a lifelong adherent of this style.

Mr. Narasimhan commended Narada Gana Sabha for holding ‘namasankeertans’ along with music and dance performances.

It is an art that is not mechanical but requires devotion and self-control, he said, and added that when the name of the Lord is chanted in unison, it purifies the mind. He said, “May the ‘brahmam’ always pervade in this space filled with ‘naadam’.”

R. Krishnaswamy, secretary, Narada Gana Sabha, R. Krishnamoorthy, president, Narada Gana Sabha, and vocalist Seerkazhi G. Sivachidambaram were also present in the function.