“Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul” They have the power to move and the power to heal. In fact, many holistic healers are now using music and movement to treat a myriad of conditions. It is therefore most fitting for Cancer Institute Foundation (CIF) to raise awareness and funds via a heartwarming presentation of music and dance by New England artists and their students.  Tha Ka Dhi Mi Tha Indian Music and Dance Extravaganza, held on May 17th in Framingham, opened hearts, souls and indeed purses of the New England connoisseurs. 

The afternoon began with a musical segment. Virtuosi Shuchita Rao, Preeti Chakravarthy, Uma Sankar, Aparna Balaji, Mahalingam (Mali) Santhanakrishnan, Amit Kavthekar were part of the larger musical talent that included many students and local artists. Several groups performed with all student participants, including the accompanying musicians. Such a performance is singular to the burgeoning art scene in New England. Student groups included Sruthilaya School of Music headed by Uma Sankar, Shanmugapriya School of Music, headed by Priya Anand, Anubhava School of Music headed by stalwart musician Tara Bangalore, New England School of Music, headed by Amit Kavthekar, RASA Institute headed by Shuchita Rao, Abhyaas School of Music headed by Aparna Balaji. The students skillfully presented a variety music in both Carnatic and Hindustani styles. It was a joy to watch both these genres share the stage at this unique event.

The classical segment culminated in a pre-finale duet by Uma Sankar and Priya Anand. Two incredibly talented and versatile singers and teachers. I had first heard “Nabikettavar”, I rendered by duo, Ranjani and Gayathri. Our own dynamic duo seemed to invoke the same energy and passion in the song. In an anticipatory piece, Uma and Priya sang a brisk Thillana composed by Lalagudi Jayaraman, set to Desadi taalam and Mand raagam. They were expertly accompanied by Krishnan Parameswaran on the violin and by Mali Santhanakrishnan on the Mridangam.

The Thillana paved way for the finale; a raaga and taala jugalbandi between Shuchita Rao and Aparna Balaji, mavens of classical music in the New England area. With twists and turns of swaras, taans, and improvisations, they led the audience in a ride through the rapids of Hindustani and Carnatic confluence. The percussion Jugalbandi between Mali Santhanakrishnan on mridangam, Amit Kavthekar on tabla, Sriram Ramesh on morsing, and Ravi Iyer on ghatam was spellbinding. The jugalbandi was skillfully accompanied by Krishnan Parameswaran on violin and Sriram Ramesh who also played the Kanjira. The 30 minute piece built up to a dramatic vocal and percussion climax that roused and mesmerized the audience.

We also sampled some popular music by celebrated singers Dr. Meena Sundaram and Sankar Gangaikondan. Whether it was a playful number “Tujhe Jeevan ke door se” or haunting “Jiya lage na”, Meena and Sankar embodied Lata and Rafi completely and perfectly.

Keeping with the theme of variety, the dance segment consisted of many genres. From Kathak to Kuchipudi, from Odissi to Manipuri, from Bharatanatyam to garba, you got to see it all! And what a delight it was to see Neena Gulati, the doyen of dance of the New England region, as she melded genres in a unique composition medley of father and daughter. Pt. Ravishankar’s Tarana and Anoushka Shankar’s contemporary composition sprang to life under Neenaji’s expert choreography. Neenaji’s grace and vigor is par excellence and seemed to set the tone and the mood of the entire performance.

The dance segment consisted of dancers of all levels from various schools including Upasana, the Odissi school headed by Mouli Pal, Students of Prafulla Velury, a Kuchipudi artist, Chhandika, the Kathak school led by Gretchen Hayden, Satrang, a garba group, Angikam, led by Jasmine Shah, Triveni, led by Guru Neena Gulati, Natyanjali led by guru Jeyanthi Ghatraju, Amudhasri Dance School led by Kalaimangai Anbalagan and Sarasalaya, led by Preeti Ramesh. From the very youngest dancers to the thespians, the dance segment climbed a frenzied crescendo to end with a contemporary item from the “Sakhi’s” of New England. A group of gorgeous and dedicated dancers who create a new space and movement from traditional roots.  The group consisted of Deepa Rajamani, Jeyanthi Ghatraju, Poornima Surya, Sujatha Meyyappan, Suman Adisesh, Thenu Raajan and Vyju Prasad.


The event was expertly compered by Anu Chitrapu and Ranjani Saigal. Manju Sheth was the guest of honor and the special guests were Sangeetha Choodamani Sri. O.S.Thiagarajan, Bhaskaracharya Sangeeta Kovidha Smt. Padmavathy Natesan, and Sankeerthana Choodamani Sri. O.S.Sunder, children of Acharya Choodamani O.V.Subramaniam.

A non-profit NGO, affiliated entirely with the Adyar Cancer Institute in India, CIF caters to nearly 150,000 critically ill, and 60% of whose care is subsidized by the foundation. An inspiring work of charity and love, they have forged ahead for the last 60 years to deliver life and happiness to many. Surely, they succeeded in spreading joy to the New England area with their efforts and included the myriad of New England rasikas in this pleasure. Audiences were not just delighted by program, but also by the act of donating to a noble cause. After all, happiness, fosters charity, which in turn brings joy!

Here is to many more Tha Ka Dhi Mi Tha’s and many more lives preserved from the devastation of cancer! Kudos to CIF for their tireless efforts.

Acknowledgements: Uma Sankar for her musical expertise and pictures by Daman Sidhu & Kannan Kadhiresan. Opening quotation attributed to Plato.
   
       

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