Silver jubilee of Naatya Adhyayana Gurukulam

July 27, 2013

Yogaville, Satchidananda Ashram Fine Arts Society, Virginia, celebrated its silver jubilee on July 21, 2013 with much fanfare. The morning started with homam at Kailash, followed by a seminar and discussions and video presentations of old alumni. An excellent free feast was provided to nearly 500 people who came from far and wide. Ambassador Ms. Nirupama Rao was represented by her Consular Ms. Sukriti Likhi who said it was her fortune that the Embassy chose her to attend the enlightening function in the evening.

After lighting the traditional lamp with Panchavaadyam ensemble followed by nadaswaram, Ms. Sukriti felicitated Rukmini Rasiah, The Dhananjayans and Padmarani, the pillars of the Naatya Adhyayana Gurukulam of Fine Arts Society. The teachers who have been sending their students to the Gurukulam were honoured for their services to the promotion of Indian art and culture in the US. The staff members who have been giving voluntary services and helping the FAS to conduct this most successful of summer camps, were also recognized and awarded mementos.

After a meticulously organized function, the participants of the first batch of the silver jubilee year presented a short version of the ‘Aikya Bhaaratam’ production consisting of classical and folk dances of India, much to the appreciation of the enthusiastic audience gathered from different parts of the country.  A global community was represented with several Ashramites attending the function.  It was an interesting presentation of unity in diversity. 





On July 20th, Satchidananda Ashram celebrated Gurupoornima day as usual with great fervor, and devotees from all over the world attended this important event in the Ashram. The Dhananjayans were honoured with the Award of Excellence and Lifetime Achievement Award by the Yogaville Swami Satchidananda Ashram Fine Arts Society. Their disciples Padmarani Rasiah and Kannan Rasiah were also felicitated with the Award of Excellence and Gurusevaratna Merit Award respectively.   The four gurus and sishyas together gave a short performance before a packed enthusiastic audience.