New Delhi’s renowned Bharatanatyam dance institution, Ganesa Natyalaya, is set to present NIMAGNA as part of its ongoing golden jubilee celebration, Swarna Saroja. The performance, scheduled for 19th September 2024 at Kamani Auditorium, is a 75-minute tribute to the institution’s founder, the late Guru Dr. Saroja Vaidyanathan, on the occasion of her birth anniversary. The event is free to the public, with entry based on a first-come, first-seated basis.
NIMAGNA, choreographed by Rama Vaidyanathan, is an ensemble performance involving 25 dancers from Ganesa Natyalaya. This presentation delves into the concept of spiritual Rasa, exploring the myriad ways in which individuals experience profound emotional and spiritual elevation through dance. The performance promises to create an immersive experience for both dancers and the audience, offering a transcendent journey to a state of ‘Nimagna’, or deep aesthetic bliss. Drawing inspiration from ancient Indian texts, the performance emphasizes how dance can become a transformative, spiritual experience.
Rama Vaidyanathan, who currently heads Ganesa Natyalaya as its President, shared her insights on the production: “The inspiration has been to create interesting ensemble work in Bharatanatyam that can evoke both emotional and visual imagery. Since this Swarna Saroja event is dedicated to our Guru, it begins with the Guru Stotram as a mark of reverence. Following this, we offer a tribute to the Goddess Devi through a keerthanam that highlights her virtues. Another piece explores the sacred city of Kashi, which absorbs both the negative and positive energies of its devotees and releases them from their burdens. We conclude with the Raasa Leela, which symbolizes our collective yearning to unite with the Supreme Power.”
Ganesa Natyalaya was founded in 1974 by Guru Dr. Saroja Vaidyanathan, starting with a modest group of students. Over the past five decades, it has flourished into one of the foremost institutions of Bharatanatyam, attracting students from both India and abroad. The institution’s influence extends across the globe, with over 2,000 students having been trained under its aegis. More than 30 of its alumni have established their own Bharatanatyam schools, half of which are located overseas, continuing the rich legacy of Ganesa Natyalaya.
The golden jubilee celebration Swarna Saroja reflects not just the success of an institution, but the indelible mark left by its founder, Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan, on the world of Bharatanatyam. The performance of NIMAGNA will serve as a fitting tribute to her pioneering work and the spiritual depth she instilled in the art of dance.
Date: Thursday, 19th September 2024 | Time: 6.30 pm | Venue: Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi | Entry: Free (First Come First Served)
