Dec 31 2020
Guru Pournima 2020 #CoronaPandemic

Namaste Taai!

I bow down to you on this occasion of Guru Pornima.

If only words would be enough to describe the difference you’ve made in my life, I would write endlessly. Still, I will try my best to use vocabulary to the best of my ability.

Dance has been an inseparable part of my life ever since I can remember. Having a mother who is deeply involved in art, dance came to me as a blessing.

Ever since my life has been blessed with your presence, it has changed completely. Dance, which was just a hobby, turned into something much more for me. You are the first one who graced and blessed my life with Kathak. And I promise, you are the only one who will touch my soul so deeply, I can’t even imagine learning from anyone else, but you. How beautiful it is, you shared a part of you with me…everything that you taught me will remain with me until my last breath. I could never be separated from this abundant blessing that you’ve bestowed on me!

Be it personal life, professional life, anything in life…you’ve always guided me in a way no one ever has. You’ve supported me immensely. You are the light who has guided me in the darkest of times. I am falling short of words here taai. You mean the world to me!

I am very bad at expressing how I feel. I never say it out loud, but you just mean so much to me. No one can ever take your place in my life.

I am forever grateful for every time you’ve dealt with my disappointing behavior. I will try my best to do better.I know I am saying thi repeatedly taai, but you are the most beautiful blessing in my life! I don’t know what I did to deserve your precious presence, but I am forever grateful.

I miss you a lot taai! My work restricts me in a lot of ways, but I am trying my best to riyaaz. I just hope this COVID ends soon so I can finally see you in front me! I love you the most!!!Initially I wanted to make a video and give this expression a more human feel, but I wouldn’t be able to say a word without bursting into tears.

I touch your feet and I seek your blessings forevermore.

Srushti Chaudhari

Student, Layshala Lalit Kala Foundation, Pune

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Dec 31 2020
‘Prayers and beginnings’, Basant Panchami celebration at Layshala Pune
30
012020
Vasant Panchami ProgramAn offering to Devi Saraswati
All the students of Layshala Lalit Kala Foundation, Pune who participated in the Vasant Panchami Program

Vasant Panchami is noted at the end of winter and the beginning of spring i.e between the months of January and February. Vasant Panchami is celebrated by worshiping goddess Saraswati the goddess of wisdom. She symbolizes intellect, learning, arts, skills, and calmness. In accordance with the festival Layshala Lalit Kala Samiti, Pune celebrated Saraswati poojan in Vartak  Asharam Hall in Shaniwar Peth. Astha Godbole Karlekar, kathak dance teacher and performer at Layshala Lalit Kala Samiti under took the celebrations to respect art and culture at a social level on 30th January ,2020. 

Students learning kathak seeked blessings from goddess Saraswati and performed ghungroo poojan. Beginners of kathak received their pair of ghungroos on this auspicious day by initially performing pooja and then wearing them on for the first time. The prevailing students also paid their respect to goddess Saraswati and  their ghungroos, where Ghungroos are a significant part of kathak as it emphasizes the rhythmic aspects of dance and allow complex footwork to be heard by the audience. For a classical performer, a performance without Ghungroos is incomplete. Sacred art and culture with creativity was sensed in the environment. 

At the latter, stage performance of Saraswati Vandana was presented by all the students, followed by students presenting their tukadaas of kathak and some solo performances by senior students. At the end  of the programme students who were qualified to teach kathak as teachers were felicitated by a Nataraja Murti and also students getting first class distinction in exam were felicitated by medals and trophy. Considering the auspiciousness of the day yellow and orange was the dress theme with prashad to be only kesari petha.       

The program ended on a note where there was appreciation, respect for art and culture, encouragement, and bless. 

Amruta Chavan

Student, Layshala Lalit Kala Foundation, Pune

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