Jan 05, 2012
When it comes to promoting South Indian culture, Hindu Temple of Atlanta is the first and foremost. On Sunday December 18th afternoon, Hindu Temple on a short notice organized an awesome dance program performed by six blind (visually impaired) kids who have traveled all the way from south side of Bangalore, India on a month-long tour to various cities around the country.
This dance program was attended by aficionados of Indian classical dances that included Atlanta’s accomplished dancers-teachers Sasikala Penumarthi, Padmaja Kelam and their students and other dignitaries.
The six teenagers who presented classical, semi-classical and folk dances are between the ages of 14 and 20 and their names are Dharmaraj, Dinesh, Pradjwal, Gunalan (Boys) Anitha and Sirisha (girls).
The group was led by promoter Swaminathan, who himself is visually impaired and their teacher Latha Srinivas. They are members of Shree Ramana Maharishi Academy for Blinds (SRMAB), a non-profit organization formed in the year 1969. Presently, there are 300 visually impaired students in the residential school which is located near Bangalore. These kids are provided with education, boarding, lodging and several vocational training programs including dance and music.
Before the program started, their teacher Latha led them on stage for the orientation. They held each other’s hands and walked across 4 corners of the stage for a few minutes to get the idea of its dimensions. Then charming emcee Siri Yellamaraju welcomed the audience and the artists and introduced first item of the afternoon.
The first dance was called Pushpanjali -- a tribute to Lord Ganesha with flowers and struti.
It was an unbelievable feat – the hand gestures, facial expressions and body movements were in such perfect sync with music and taal that audience momentarily forgot that these kids are blind. This perfection continued throughout the six dances they presented.
It is often said that people who are born imperfect make up for their imperfection some other ways. Such as people without feet walk on their hands and people without hands use their feet to feed themselves or write and draw. However, people who are deaf and/or blind have sixth sense and they not only live a meaningful life but also excel in whatever they do. Helen Keller (writer), Stevie Wonder (singer) and Ravindra Jain (musician-lyricist) are the shining examples who have reached the pinnacle of success. But you may have not heard of people who are born blind and still excel in classical dancing until now. Try to blindfold your eyes and move around in circles. I am sure you will feel dizzy and lose your balance.
The second dance was called Deepanjali – a tribute with lights. Although visually impaired, these kids were guided by their inner vision and danced with lamps in their hands. They aptly presented the theme of darkness to light.
The third dance was called Taranga that was specially choreographed to suit and blend Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi dances. It depicted bala-leela of Krishna and Kaling Nardana.
The fourth dance was called Shakti in which Goddess Parashakti destroys Mahisasura and victory of good over evil.
The last two dances were folk dances. The first folk dance called Kolata which is similar to Dandia raas of Gujarat was performed with sticks (dandies). It is famous in Karnataka and performed during the harvest season. Kids were donned in colorful folk costume and danced to a Kannada song.
The second folk dance was a Bhangra, which is popular in Punjab and Hariyana. Here too, the kids were dressed up in typical Punjabi costume.
During all these six dances the kids never bumped into each other, never went off stage and their hand and feet coordination was perfect. Even Padmaja Kelam in a short speech said that she is amazed watching these kids dance.
The program ended with fitting standing ovation by the audience. Then a priest was called on the stage, who said a prayer and blessed the kids.
The whole program last for an hour and was free to all. People were asked to donate generously, because Hindu Temple did not charge admission fee and that all the proceeds will go to the welfare projects of SRMAB.
Kudos to Hindu Temple of Atlanta for organizing such a high level dance program. It was indeed a feast to the eyes.
