Kalanjali, an organisation dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional Indian classical dance and art form, organised its annual 24th “ Kalotsavam” at Rabindra Bhavan, Bhopal on Saturday evening.

The event is seen as a curtain raiser to its silver jubilee celebrations. Aditi Kumar Tripathi, Director-Directorate of Culture, Govt. of M.P and Bharat Bhawan, Bhopal was the Chief Guest while Guru  Bharati Hombal, Director, Kala Padma, Bhopal was the Guest of Honour.

The programme commenced with Bharat Mata Stuti followed by Panchamoorty Kautuvam, Chakravaka Jatiswaram, Nrityati Nrityati Samba Shivam, Bharatanatya Shabdam & Thillana all in the classical dance forms. Thillana is the pure form of dance in Bharatnatyam which focuses on adavu which means basic step that are combined to form a dance sequence.

The folk dance section consisted of Haryanwi & Rajasthani Gangore Folk Dances that set the atmosphere vibrant with the energetic performance of the dancers. The main highlight of the programme was the Rangarohan (first performance on stage) performed by 16 child artists in the form of Pushpanjali and Ganesh Kautuvam.

In vocal, the artists Parvatish Pradeep & Pranav Pradeep performed the carnatic form of classical music. As told by Dr. (Mrs.) Anu Johnson, the General Secretary-Kalanjali, the organisation since its existence of almost 25 years, has been imparting training in Indian classical dance and music to children.

It is due to the hardwork, sincerity and devotion of the trainees the organisation is able to keep alive the Indian traditions and its art forms, thus contributing towards the promotion and spreading of Indian culture. Besides this, the organisation aims to provide an opportunity for the aspiring young children to know about the Indian classical art form and to learn proper techniques under the guidance of the able guru thus maintaining the guru-shishya parampara of Indian tradition.

As a part of its silver jubilee celebrations, Kalanjali is planning to conduct competitions in classical art forms across various schools in Bhopal to bring out the talents and thus creating an awareness in Indian classical art forms.