CHENNAI: Legendary Bharathanatyam Guru K J Sarasa, who passed away recently, had the distinction of being the first lady nattuvanar. She has conducted over 1,000 arangetrams. She trained with the legendary Natyachakravarthi KN Dhandayuthapani Pillai (her brother) and Padmasri Vazhuvur Ramaiah Pillai.Several of her dance dramas like Sakunthalam, Vikrama Oorvasiyam, Aditya Hridayam, and Silapadhikaram, have been choreographed by her. She has also won several titles and awards in India as well as abroad including Kalaimamani from the State Government, Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award and Isai Perarignar Award from the Tamil Sangam. She believed that ‘Dance is a central forum of expression, in the culture of India, as the traditional Indian dance has a sublime quality’. Her desire was to make younger generation realise the value of Indian classical art forms.To pay homage to the legendary K J Sarasa, who has been instrumental in developing a younger generation of Bharatanatyam artistes, Kalaimamani Prof Sailaja, one of her senior disciples, Director, Sailasudha, and a torch bearer of Vazhuvurar tradition is all set to present Gurusmaranam. It is a dance programme in memory of her guru, along with dancer Shanmugham, who is also a senior disciple of the legend, at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mylapore, on March 3, Saturday. Sailaja says, “My guru always searched for the soul of a dance. She was a visionary. She explored the by-lanes of the conventional interpretations of the classical dance.” Kalaimamani Prof Sailaja extends cordial invitation to one and all to be present and participate in the homagewhich is to be paid to the legendary guru, K J Sarasa.
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