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 ECPA's Suvarna Jayanthi and Guru Darshana Jhaveri at JG College - Bijoy Shivram e-mail: bijoyshivram@gmail.com January 21, 2025 SUVARNA JAYANTHI CELEBRATIONS OF ECPA, VADODARA Photos: Jackie Prajapati The Sayajirao Auditorium in Vadodara radiated with energy on Sunday morning 12th January, as the Ellora Center for Performing Arts Foundation (ECPA) celebrated its Golden Jubilee with a spectacular annual concert. Young dancers, some as young as five, prepared to command the stage, embodying the spirit of a rich classical heritage nurtured for five decades. ECPA Foundation, established in 1975 by Rema Shrikant with the unwavering support of Shrikant Nair, has been a beacon of artistic excellence and cultural preservation. Rooted in Vadodara, the institution has flourished under Rema Shrikant's visionary leadership, mentoring generations in the classical arts. Trained under her parents, Guru Krishna Panicker and Gauri Panicker at Nritya Prabha, Mumbai, and further honing her skills under the legendary Guru Kittappa Pillai, she later completed her post-graduation in dance at MS University under the guidance of Prof. C.V. Chandrasekhar. The Golden Jubilee event paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Shrikant Nair, who pioneered the Kerala style of Panchakarma treatment in Vadodara and championed Kerala Ayurveda for 27 years with equal support from his wife Rema and daughter Nitya. His unwavering support for his wife's artistic pursuits and belief in the transformative power of the arts left an indelible mark on ECPA's journey. His legacy, defined by courage, truth and determination, resonates through every rhythm, step, and life touched by the foundation.  The evening commenced with the auspicious lighting of the lamp by spiritual leader Jagdish Anand ji, alongside esteemed dignitaries. A specially curated film by Bijoy Shivram chronicling ECPA's journey and paying homage to Shrikant Nair set a reflective tone. The performances opened with a soulful rendition of Tulsidas' bhajan "Gayie Ganapati" in ragam Valachi and adi talam, presented by senior students, establishing a divine ambiance. A beautifully synchronized Pushpanjali, Ganapati Stuti, and Alarippu in Ragamalika and adi talam, demonstrating the students' precision and grace, followed this. Rema Shrikant's astute ability to gauge the strengths of her students was evident as even the youngest batch presented a Shiva Stuti in ragam Hamsanandi with simple adavus and graceful mudras. The intermediate group presented a kriti on Lord Kartikeya choreographed by senior student Arunima Pillai, while Jayadeva's ashtapadi choreographed by Sripriya, along with a Shiva Shabdam and Shankara Rudra Stuti choreographed by Rema Shrikant, added layers of poetic storytelling to the evening.  The senior students delivered a riveting performance of the Hindolam Tillana in khanda eka talam, choreographed by Rema's Guru, Prof. C.V. Chandrasekhar, followed by the dynamic Mahishasura Mardini Stotram choreographed by Rema herself. The pinnacle of the evening was a deeply moving patriotic piece on the Gujarati song "Kasumbi No Rang" by Jhaverchand Meghani, a tribute to Gujarat's rich cultural roots. The concluding piece, a spiritually profound Mangalam, diverged from the traditional format. Conceptualized by Rema Shrikant, it was an expressive devotional offering that invoked Shreenathji, Yamunaji, and Mahaprabhuji, blending divinity with artistry. The dancers, embodying grace and devotion, portrayed the eternal bond between the devotee and the divine, closing the evening on a sublime note.  The evening also honored key contributors including Nitya Gopikrishnan, Simple Maniyar, the faculty, and senior students, recognizing their unwavering dedication. Young Shambhavi Gopikrishnan impressed as the event compere, with her poised delivery, grace and insightful introductions to each performance. The musical ensemble, featuring the versatile vocalist Ambika Vishwanathan, Prajesh Nair on mridangam, Ajay Chandramouli on violin, Nandakumar on flute, and Srirang Soni on tabla, added depth and dynamism to the performances, enhancing the visual storytelling. The Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Ellora Center for Performing Arts Foundation was a spectacular tribute to five decades of commitment to classical arts, leaving the audience spellbound with vibrant performances, rich narratives, and profound artistry. GURU DARSHANA JHAVERI AT JG COLLEGE Photos: Bharat Bamaniya On 11th January, the JG College of Performing Arts was graced by the presence of the esteemed Darshana Jhaveri of the legendary Jhaveri sisters. Accompanying her was her niece Angana, who has beautifully curated an exhibition chronicling the illustrious journey of the Jhaveri sisters. Darshana Jhaveri was also accompanied by Sanjib Bhattacharya, a renowned Manipuri artiste from USA.  Renowned globally for their monumental contribution to Manipuri dance, the Jhaveri sisters have transformed this classical art form, bringing it from the heart of the village traditions to the grandeur of the stage. Their presence at JGPA was not just a blessing but an invaluable opportunity for the current generation of artistes to engage with such luminaries, learning and imbibing the essence of this profound legacy. True to its philosophy, JGPA once again opened the doors not just to students but to the rasikas of Ahmedabad, ensuring that the beauty of such cultural moments could be shared with wider community. It is often said, "A family that dines together stays together." In a heartwarming surprise gathering followed by lunch for Darshana Jhaveri, over 70 artistes and rasikas came together, filling the afternoon with positive energy and artistic camaraderie. The distinguished guests included luminaries such as Mallika Sarabhai, Dr. Rupa Mehta, Radhika Lalbhai, Dr. Uma Anantani, Pankaj and Sanjukta Sinha, Shivangee Vikram, Bharat Bariya, Akshay Patel, Niyatiben, Sarmishtha Patel, Anurita Rathore, Paulomi Das, Srinivasan, Vidya Srinivasan, Rahul Shastri, Hemant Bhatt, Vijay Dave, Rucaha Anjaria, Disha Mody, PM Kumar, Rohit Parihar, Mansi Modi, Angana, Sanjib Bhattacharya and many more.  The ambience was meticulously curated to complement the spirit of the occasion, creating a space where art, legacy and community came together in perfect harmony. It was an afternoon to be cherished, reaffirming JGPA's commitment to nurturing the arts and celebrating the spirit of togetherness.  Bijoy Shivram is an accomplished Indian classical dancer trained in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. A passionate promoter of the arts and a skilled graphic designer, he currently serves as the Vice Principal of JG College of Performing Arts and the Assistant Director (Operations) overseeing 17 JG colleges. He is also the founder of Preksha, an organization dedicated to the promotion of art and culture in Ahmedabad. Since 2020, Bijoy has curated the YouTube series 'Gurudakshina - An Ode to our Gurus,' celebrating the legacy of mentorship and tradition. |
