Kadambari - Dance Ballet By Temple Of Fine Arts, Malaysia: Events in Hyderabad

A fusion of Bharatanatyam, Odissi and folk dances - and good hearts. Tonite at the Chowmohalla Music Festival.

Chowmohalla Palace is organising the Chowmohalla Music Festival from 23rd to 29th December. Eminent artistes like Dr L Subramaniam, Kavita Subramaniam, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Niazi Brothers of Pakistan, Devi Ramana Murthy, Indira Naik and Ghulam Ali will be performing in this festival.

Today, the 4th day, a dance ballet called the Kadambari will be performed by about 15 dancers from the Temple of Fine Arts, Malaysia. Kadambari is a fusion dance ballet of Bharatanatyam, Odissi and folk dances. The ballet has been choreographed by Geetha Shankaran-Lam, the director of Odissi at the Temple of Fine Arts.

The Temple of Fine Arts (TFA) is the creation of Swami Shantanand Saraswathi, the disciple of Swami Shivananda of Rishikesh. After the demise of Swami Shivananda, Swami Shantananda came out of the Ashram and started his service to humanity.

The Temple of Fine Arts (TFA), a school that teaches Indian music and dance, was started in 1980, with an aim that no poor boy or girl who has the desire to learn music or dance should be deprived of the opportunity. The TFA conducts free courses for those who are unable to afford the fee.

It is a multi-faceted cultural organisation which is run by volunteers from all walks of life, both young and old. Since the organisation believes that music, dance and art should be enjoyed by all who desire it, these productions are staged free of cost.

The organisation has so far staged major dance productions such as Swan Lake, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Lady White Snake, The Legend of Mahsuri, Ramayana, Taj Mahal and Sakuntala to name just a few, in Singapore, Malaysia, India and Australia over the last 15 years.

Apart from music, dance and the visual arts, TFA has also set up a charitable medical clinic, called the Temple of Service, which is staffed by retired doctors in the community who set aside a little of their time to serve the community. The members of TFA started Annalakshmi in 1986, where vegetarian food is served in a homely atmosphere, prepared and served by volunteers.

The entry to the concert is free, but is by invitations only. The invitations are available on 2452-2032.