Padmabhushan Professor Chandrashekhar, a dancer, musician, composer, choreographer, vocalist, natuvanar, dance teacher and researcher all in one, conducted two dance workshops: one at Savar and another at BSA. The workshop participants, divided in three groups, first set off the event titled “Kanaka Manjari” with showcasing outstanding pieces like Pushpanjali, Ganesha Bandana and Tillana. 

With engaging their continuous determination to excel themselves, the promising dancers – particularly Mehraj Haque Tushar, Sudeshna Swayamprabha, Arno Kamolika and Amit Chowdhury -- stood out with their display of mudras, graceful expression and relaying the Bharatnatyam essence of jubilance in the tillana part. 

Rajdeep Banerjee, a renowned Bharatanatyam performer and teacher, next performed a brilliant solo, set to a Meera Bhajan. 

Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

Professor Chandrashekhar's solo performances came next. The living legend, who was under the tutelage from Rukmini Devi Arundale, the pioneer of modern Bharatnatyam dance in India, was magical in his showcase. While taking on his maiden piece eulogising and worshiping Ganesha, the maestro's speedy footwork detached two metallic bells from his Ghungroo.

Evoking myth and nostalgia, the legend perfectly acted out as young Sri Krishna in the piece Kirtanam and enacted an enamored an awaiting bride while displaying Padam. It was a presentation of romance and CV Chandrashekhar was unparallel in depicting the feminine grace. The artiste also danced to Laisa Ahmed Lisa's live rendition of a Tagore song “Oi Malati Lata Doley”. The essence of the monsoonal song mingled with the aesthetic freshness of gestures and expressions of Chandrashekhar who wrapped up his part with offering Mangalam. 

Sukumar Govindam Kutti (vocal), Gopalakrishnan Suryanarayanan (mridangam) and Satyavishal Avireddy (violin) embellished the performance. 

Three eminent theatre and cultural personalities – Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, Ataur Rahman and Mamunur Rashid lit candles to the formal opening up of the programme while at the end, the mermerised audience gave him a standing ovation and all the noted Bangladeshi dancers and gurus honoured him with uttario and bouquet.