Bharatnatyam - A Classical Indian Musicians Raised Concert

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations and The High Commission of India to The Gambia in association with the Indian community in The Gambia last Saturday presented an evening of classical Indian dance performed by Padmashri Saroja Vaidyanatham, Ganesa Natyalaya, at Jaama Hall entertainment Centre in Kairaba Hotel.

The young and larger-than- life Indian musical team, which performed live, was very popular for their authentic cultural lyrics and wearing typical Indian costumes.

Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest dance forms of India. It was documented as a performing art in the 19th century by the Tanjore Quartet, whose musical compositions for dance form the bulk of the Bharatanatyam repertoire even today. The art was handed down as a living tradition through generations under the Devadasi system under which women were dedicated to temples to serve a particular deity as dancers and musicians forming part of the elaborate rituals. The revival of Bharatanatyam by pioneers such as Ekrishna Lyer and Rukmini Devi Arundale brought the dance out of the temple precincts and onto the proscenium stage though it retained its essentially devotional character.

Speaking shortly after the programme, The Secretary of State for Communication, Information and Technology, Fatim Badjie, thanked the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the High Commission of Indian to The Gambia, for the wonderful performance by the Indian Musical group in showing Indian Culture. SOS Badjie said this would motivate The Gambian artists to do the same. Certificates were awarded to the Indian Musical Team witnessed by the audience and by 'Entertainment'.