Bharatanatyam by Krishna Sharana and WIN Awards

March 9, 2011

The Bharatanatyam arangetram of Cristina F Brauwers, alias Krishna Sharana, from Brazil, took place on March 6, 2011 at Yavanika Youth Center in Bangalore. In the same evening, Aatmalaya Academy of Dance hosted the WIN (Women's International Network) Awards. There was a full audience in Yavanika Hall to enjoy the evening's dance performance and also to honour the deserving awardees.

Krishna Sharana first performed a traditional Ganesha Kautuvam, followed by the Ganapati Stuti "Gajavadana Beduve" in Kannada. The second item was a beautiful homage to Chamundeswari, the Devi Kriti "Sara Samukhi" in Sanskrit. The main performance of the evening was the Tamil Varnam "Naadanai Azhaithu Vaa."

After the Varnam, the WIN Awards ceremony took place, where Laxmi Thakur Singhal, the National President of WIN and Vijay Tiwari, President, International Yog Federation, spoke eloquently. Speeches made by the guests extolled the role of women in various walks of life and that empowerment of women is the need of the country, especially in rural areas of India. Some of the awardees shared their experiences as social workers, sports persons, artistes, and so on. They were: T Sharada (vocal, veena), S G Susheelamma (President of Sumangali Seva Ashram), NS Leela (science education), Kalpana Heblekar (proprietor of Sai Interiors and Decorators), Devika Rajendran (talent promoter and wife of Chakyar Rajan). The 'Kiran Achievement Award' was given to Sarada Gokulnath (music and dance programs in Doordarshan), Sarala Unnikrishnan (Regional Director of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Bangalore), Malathi Krishnamoorthy Holla (Mathru Foundation), Tazaiyun Oomer (NGO Humane Touch), Uma Ranganathan (Brookefields / Whitefield-Informer & Shopper).

'Nav Kiran' for seniors in age went to Maitrayee Kumar (Director of Dream School Foundation), Anupama Hoskere (Director of Dhaatu Centre for sharing Life Skills and Traditional Wisdoms), Bharati Venugopal (Carnatic vocal and Bharatanatyam), Sarah Santamaria (Chief Executive of Diya Foundation for the differently abled), S Lalitha (Shrinidhi Telefilms). 'Nav Kiran' for juniors in age went to Achala Pani (Let's Live Together animal welfare organization), Pavithra YS ( Vindhya E-Infomedia for only physically challenged employees), Taarini Prakash (free dance classes for underprivileged children in Makali District), Amruta Baichwal (Agastya International Foundation, free dance classes for underprivileged rural children), Chandana Kasargod Brijesh (graded artiste of Doordarshan), Varijashree (Carnatic vocal), Anita Hanumanth (dancer, works for NGO), Mega (bright student from Makali village), 13 year old Nida Kulsum (state level swimming champion teaches underprivileged children in her neighbourhood), Ashwini (Mobility India's Community Based Rehabilitation program intervention helped Ashwini get mobility skill training and learn Braille. She participates in cultural activities like classical dance and speech competitions).
Following the awards was the remaining portion of the dance program. Krishna performed the Nataraja Padam "Kaalai Thooki Aadum" in Tamil, praising the Lord of Chidambaram followed by the rare item "Navagraha Shloka" in Sanskrit, a composition of Sri Vyasadeva. She concluded the evening with Vasanti Thillana with a beautiful Sahityam on Lord Krishna, in Kannada language.

Krishna Sharana received a hearty ovation for every dance number, especially for her sculpturesque poses and rhythmic combinations. The choreography and nattuvangam by her teacher Dr. Padmaja Suresh highlighted the strong points of the disciple, further enhanced by the melodious support of the accompanists, namely Bharati Venugopal on vocal, Sreehari on mridangam, TN Ramesh on the ghatam, violin by Natarajamurthy and flute by Narasimhamurthy.