Navarasam: A Unique Violin Ensemble and Classical Dance for Vision
On the evening of Sep.14,2024, Atlanta audiences were treated to a unique show of instrumental music and dance, titled “Navarasam,” featuring students of Smt. Jassotha Balasubramaniam from Carnatic Strings Violin Studio, along with eight other participating dance schools, at the West Forsyth High School Theatre in Cumming. The event was a successful fundraiser supporting Sankara Nethralaya (SN), a non-profit organization that provides free or low-cost cataract surgeries, glaucoma treatments, and vision correction services to underprivileged communities in rural and underserved areas of India.
The Navarasam stage featured nine violinists, accompanied by Sri.Sreenivas Ponnappan on the mridangam, Sri. Bala Murali on the thavil and kanjira, and vocals by Smt. Jassotha Balasubramaniam and Manvitha Kaza. Emceeing the evening, Anupama Krishnan elegantly explained how the nine rasas, or emotions, were expressed through the instrumental ensemble and dance performances. The program opened with a powerful depiction of Veeram (valor), presented through the traditional Mallari by the students of Deeksha School of Performing Arts, led by Smt. Anupa Guha Thakurta. Following that, Shringaram (love) was illustrated through a Varnam that beautifully portrayed Lord Krishna, performed by Naatyaveda Dance Academy under Smt. Sobiya Sudeep.
Sri Vathapi, invoking Lord Ganesha and surrendering at his feet, was performed by Samskriti under Smt. Gayathri Srinivasan, showcasing Karunai (compassion). In Deva Deva Kalayamite, students of Nataraja Natyanjali, led by Smt. Neelima Gaddamanugu, elegantly depicted Bhibhatsam (disgust), asking the Lord to free them from sins. Her students also performed Annapoorne, requesting Goddess Annapurna to bring Peace to the world.
Next was Anupama Gunambudi, where dancers recounted the story of Gajendra Moksha, depicting Rowdram (anger), performed by Bharathakala Naatya Academy under Smt. Subathra Sudarshan. In Bho Sambho, Lord Shiva was worshiped with Bhayam (fear) portrayed by GA Cultural Arts Academy, led by Smt. Gayathri Venkatachalam. The well-known Theerada Vilyattu Pillai was performed by Noopura School of Bharatanatyam, led by Smt. Anila Haridas, to depict Hasyam (humor), illustrating how Lord Krishna spreads joy through his playful antics. The event concluded with Thillana, performed by Nritya Sankalpa under Smt. Savitha Vishwanathan, capturing the essence of Adbhutam (wonder) as an offering to the Goddess Kamakshi.
The performance received a standing ovation from the audience. Guest of honor Dr. Kalpana Rengarajan spoke about Smt. Jassotha's reputation in the Atlanta community for producing thematic performances during CAMAGA’s (Carnatic Music Association of Georgia) Composers Day events and congratulated the artists. Guest of honor Mr. Paul Lopez emphasized the collaboration between Good Vision and Sankara Nethralaya to provide affordable eyeglasses to underprivileged patients.
Ms. Anna Huthmaker, owner of Huthmaker Fine Violins, praised the students for conveying a divine feeling through their performance. Smt. Jassotha then delivered a vote of thanks, noting that her violinists are a dedicated group of Atlanta area high school and college students who worked diligently to ensure the program's success. She expressed appreciation for the dance academies that collaborated on this noble cause. She also thanked Ajay for composing the harmony for Mallari, enhancing the raga alapanas with harmony additions, adding a fugue-style component to express disgust, and improvising music to support the dancers during the Gajendra Moksha story.
The President of Sankara Nethralaya USA, Mr. Bala Reddy Indurti, commended Smt. Jassotha for her meticulous planning of Navarasam, featuring nine violinists, nine academies, including her own, and 72 students. He appreciated all the dance schools for their hard work in supporting SN’s fundraising efforts.
Atlanta Chapter Vice President Rajesh Tadikamalla and Chapter Leads Chinmay Dasmohapatra, Hemanth Varma Penmetsa, Sudhir Patro, and Vijay Garlapati played crucial roles in organizing the event. The significant amount raised through this event will support cataract surgeries for indigent patients through Sankara Nethralaya’s Mobile Eye Surgical Unit (MESU), a hospital on wheels serving rural areas. Currently, three MESU units are operational in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Jharkhand, with plans to launch a fourth unit in Puttaparthi by January 2025 and a fifth in Vizag later that year.
The Adopt-A-Village sponsorship, which allows donors to fund eye camps in their native villages, garnered significant interest. This program costs $12,500 for areas within 300 kilometers of a base hospital and $15,000 for areas 300–500 kilometers away. Mr. Indurti recognized the contributions of both the music and dance school teachers, expressing gratitude to all academies, gurus, and students involved in the cause. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Moorthy Rekapalli, followed by the national anthems of the United States and India.
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