The Lasya School of Dance in Shrewsbury, MA organized a charity fundraiser, "Lasya Shrutilaya", on June 12, 2010 for the Akshyapatra Foundation, the largest NGO-run midday-meal program in the world at the  Mindess Elementary School in Ashland.

The program began with a mellifluous hour-long Carnatic music concert, rendered by vocalist Sudev Warrier, who was ably accompanied by C.K. Patanjali on the flute, Sudhaman on the mridangam and Suhas Rao on the violin.

Kathleen Cosgrove and Suma Adapala  from the Akshayapatra Foundation took the stage to introduce the foundation to the audience. A short video followed their introduction, serving as a moving reminder of the importance of the cause for which they had gathered, to both the artists and the audience.

The dance program started with an Anjali. With defined grace, the dancers moved from one item to another with the accompaniment of live music by the musicians, transitioning from ‘Krishna Nee Begane Baaro’, in which Guru Sapna Krishnan took center stage, to the frothy ‘Mukunda Mukunda’, which displayed the talent of the younger students. Although most of the students of the Lasya School of Dance have been learning this rather intense dance form for a mere three years or less, their enthusiasm and dedication for the cause, along with rigorous practice made the evening a resounding success.

Senior students brought to life, the piece “Janaki-Ramana”, which celebrates the many stories of the valorous Lord Rama such as 'Sita Parinayam’ and ’Ahalya Moksham’. Guru Sapna Krishnan joined her students to perform “Omkarakaarini”, an intense piece in praise and admiration of Goddess Durga and “Shivashtakam”, in praise of Lord Shiva, brought out the ‘Tandava’ elements of the celestial dancer.

Mrs. Ranjani Saigal, who presided over the function, gave a wonderful speech where she touched on the items that had moved her most. She also complimented the musicians for their talent and ease in which they presented complex compositions. Mrs. Saigal congratulating Guru Sapna Krishnan on her dedication to Bharatanatyam, and on her students’ performance said,

“Indeed, What a delight today, I heard in Shivashtakam... ‘Smashane Vasantham.”  The Lord’s dance is such that even in the crematorium there is Spring when he dances. That is the art of Bharatanatyam.  That is the art that Sapna brought to us.”

The grand finale was the vibrant Thillana, set in Jonpuri, in praise of Lord Muruga. Sapna Krishnan’s scintillating choreography made the piece all the more exuberant and lively. The students’ co-ordination brought a sense of unity to the piece, in which seven separate bodies moved together as one. The program concluded with the Mangalam, in which the students paid their respects to both their Guru and the orchestra, thanking them, and the audience for their support and blessings.

Anuradha Warrier, Master of Ceremonies for the event, gracefully presented each piece to audience.

This was the first fundraiser conducted by the Lasya School of Dance, and the success of the evening’s program only reinstated the belief that nothing done for a good cause can ever fail.

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