MIT Heritage Arts of South Asia organized a Carnatic Vocal and Bharatnatyam by T.M. Krishna and Priyadarsini Govind respectively, May 7 at MIT’s Big Kresge Auditorium that was attended by hundreds of people dressed in customary Indian outfits.
Hari Arthanari, president of the executive committee, introduced Priyadarsini Govind, a foremost Bharatanatyam dancer, who is also the Director of Kalakshetra Foundation. He noted that Govind blends very artistically the new choreography with the traditional and extends the boundaries of Bharatanatyam repertoire.
She is well-known for her excellent performances given in the prestigious venues all over India, and across the globe. Hari also gave a big thank you to the huge crowd of audiences, members, patrons, mentors, volunteers, artists, local teachers, local artists and each and everyone who have been associated with MITHAS over all these years.
Before the concert commenced, Priyadarsini introduced each artist to the audience with a brief summary of their specialization. She also provided a short description in the beginning of each episode of the program to help the audience understand what the composition and dance were going to depict.
K. S. Balakrishnan, as a highly experienced Nattuvanar – conductor of the program— exhibited his brilliance and talent to the audience. He was accompanied by Vedakrishnan Venkatesan on Mridangam, who used a refined technique laden with bhava to the delight of the audience.
The Carnatic vocalist, T. M. Krishna, who is described as a rare phenomenon in the Carnatic music world today, presented a consummate performance. He sang with full heart by immersing himself in the depth of joy and took his audience to the world of divinity.
He and Priyadarsini presented their recent composition on the theme ‘Philadelphia’s history of the spirit of freedom and independence’ with the songs and thoughts of Tagore, Meera Bai, Ambedkar, Gandhi, and others.
This new work focused on liberation and evolution beyond one’s ‘self’ to the larger collective planes of meaning and existence. The combination of two powerful and classical art forms of Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam dance offered a mesmerizing concept of the human experience, longing and flying of human soul into the heights of liberation.
Priyadarsini Govind and T.M. Krishna have been transforming the shape and progression of their two classical art forms for more than a decade by introducing contemporary themes that look beyond the physical and personal being to collective and whole humanity.
T. M. Krishna said his idea is rooted in the spirit of creating new things and sharing them with music lovers, and honestly responding and respecting their thoughts. R.K. Shriramkumar on Violin and K. Arun Prakash on Mridangam added a unique dimension to the whole program.
MITHAS has been bringing eminent South musicians and artists from across the globe to Boston since 1993 by presenting two concert series annually: Spring Concert Series, which usually runs from April through June, and Fall Concert Series, which usually runs from August through November. Each concert series includes around six concerts and special events.
Before the event George Ruckert, the artistic director, cordially welcomed the audiences and introduced the most senior member of the board of directors, and Anuradha Palakurthi, Chairwoman of the board of directors.
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