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| Sunday, 27 June 2004 |
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The programme titled 'Arogya Paramlaabha Nirtta Pooja' will be presented by the students of Sri Padma Ranga whose teacher is none other than a leading Bharata Natyam dancer Padmini Dahanayake. It was a refreshing hour of conversation with the well known dancer and instructress Padmini Dahanayake whose sincerity and commitment to her art is amazing despite the fact that today, there are many competitors in her field. But that does not worry her at all. In fact she is happy that the popularity of Bharata Natyam is spreading among today's youth considering the environment in which they are growing up. "I can proudly say I was the first Sinhala person to achieve the Diploma in Bharata Natyam from the Kalashetra Foundation College of Fine Arts, Chennai. Imagine, I was just eleven years when I went to study at this college - it was all so new and awesome. The course was a five year one and at the end of it I was so fluent in Tamil, I was really happy studying in Chennai. The course was tough in that, we had to get up very early in the morning, practice yoga and the dance routines to acquire professionalism. This exercise for dancing I have passed on to my students who follow the practice rigidly," says Padmini with a vivacious smile. What can the audience expect from this concert today? "If you mean the programme, then I will be opening this variety dance programme with a special selection of dances and I have included the classical Bharata Natyam, Kandyan dancing, Low Country dancing as well as the Sabaragamuwa dance artistry, the Kathak and the Indian folk dances. It is an interesting programme which dance enthusiasts will enjoy, I'm sure". When Padmini Dahanayake returned to Sri Lanka in 1959 after acquiring her diploma she gave many performances to make her impact on this particular dance stage. Her innate confidence and her passion for the art plus the easy and natural manner on stage resulted in reviews that spoke highly of her concentration and enthusiasm that were remarkable and the dynamism of her choreography. The result was that in 1961 she was appointed as a Dancing Instructress of the Ministry of Education and in her valuable 25 years of service, she imparted her knowledge to many less affluent students who were eager to master the art of Bharata Natyam. Reflecting on her 25 years service, which included solo performances by her as well, Padmini is confident that given a second lease of life she would choose dancing all over again. While she was attached to the Ministry of Education she trained students at Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Zahira College, Gampaha, Seevali Maha Vidyalaya, Wanathamulla, Anurudha Maha Vidyalaya, Dematagoda, and finally at the Maligakande Maha Vidyalaya before she retired from active service after having trained students at this school for a fruitful period of ten years. A mother of two children, Padmini is happy that her daughter Rangana Navodini has taken after her. "I sent her to study at the Kalakshetra, and my decision has paid off. She now has a diploma from this College of Fine Arts and has set up a school of dancing in Sri Lanka. My son Chandreen Jawanth is however in a different form of creativity, he is a chef at a leading hotel in Australia. This recital at the Elphinstone Theatre is something I've been wanting to do for a long time, support cancer patients because I lost my brother Ajith Shantha recently. He suffered from cancer and I hope I will have a large patronage on Sunday 27," comments Padmini who still considers Chennai as her second home and goes back yearly to visit the College of Fine Arts to meet up with her many friends who are now mothers, and like herself grandmothers as well. |
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An impressive display of Bharata Natyam will be staged as a worthy fund
raiser in aid of the Cancer Home, Maharagama today Sunday June 27 at the
Elphinstone Theatre, Colombo.
