Natyakshetra (Temple of Dance), now celebrating its golden jubilee, and its Sydney-based three decade old dance institution along with its offshoot, Nrithyasagara (Ocean of Dance), have joined hands under the banner ‘Natya Manjari’ to raise funds for the Sivan Arul Foundation at the Bryan Brown Theatre.
Guru Anursha Tharmarajah, one of Sydney’s most respected exponents of the Bharatanatyam classical tradition and an alumna of the prestigious Kalakshetra in Chennai, had the rare privilege of learning dance and allied arts under the legendary Rukmini Devi Arundale. Her illustrious teaching journey spans several institutions, including the Vivekananda Society, the University of Jaffna, Kalakshetra, and the Indian Fine Arts Society in Singapore.
Amesha Darshana, driven by a deep commitment to preserving and promoting Bharatanatyam for future generations, founded Nrithyasagara in Sydney in 2005 under the guidance of Guru Anursha Tharmarajah. A teacher by profession, with three decades of learning and performing experience, she cherished the honour of collaborating with her own guru in presenting this unique production in support of the Sivan Arul Foundation.
The performance opened with Pushpanjali, an offering of flowers to the Divine, followed by Alarippu, symbolising blossoming and serving as the rhythmic gateway to the evening’s repertoire. Two contrasting Jathiswarams then unfolded, leading gracefully into a Keerthana celebrating Nataraja, the Lord of Dance. This was followed by a Shabdam dedicated to Lord Murugan.
The Pillai Tamil, narrating the birth, growth, and triumphs of Meenakshi Amman through a captivating Swarajathi, was both visually striking and emotionally engaging. The Padam on Lord Muruga seamlessly merged into Thiruppugazh, culminating in a vibrant Thillana.
The orchestra enriched the evening with its musical finesse:
• Namrata Pulapaka – Vocal
• Janakan Suthanthiraraja – Mridangam
• Kranthi Kiran Mudigonda – Violin
• Jathushan Jeyarasa – Flute
The costumes added splendour to the stage, offering a visual feast that complemented the artistic depth of the performance.
A particularly heartwarming highlight was the teacher–student collaboration. Three students of Guru Anursha Tharmarajah accompanied the Nattuvangam, replacing her time to time on the stage, symbolising the graceful passing of the artistic baton from one generation to the next.
