Atlanta, Jan 2013: KA Academy of Indian Music & Dance hosted their annual recital on November 11th, Sunday at Southern Polytechnic State University. The event was one of its kind, as it offered a variety of programs ranging from carnatic vocal and violin performance to kinder choir and bharata natyam.

KA Academy, spearheaded by CV Subramanian & Gayatri Subramanian showcased their students’ talent in the five hour program. The first segment was music and violin performances whereas the second segment was bharata natyam traditional dances followed by a dance drama that was performed on live music by accomplished artists from Atlanta.

The program commenced with a welcome song by ICE (Indian Choir & Ensemble) where they rendered the famous “Swagatam Shubha Swagatam”, originally composed by Pt. Ravi Shankar for Asiad Games then recompiled, recorded and orchestrated by CV Subramanian. A 25 member choir was like a community participation as it was not performed merely by students but also music enthusiasts who were taught to sing and perform.

This was followed by carnatic vocal performance by the academy’s students who rendered “Nottuswara Sahityas” that remained the theme of the evening’s music segment. After the beautiful rendition in vocal, the violin students performed in unison a string ensemble to the Nottuswara kritis and some movements in Jantavarisaigal. CV Subramanian conducted the 25 member string ensemble with his lead on violin.

Kinder choir, the next program for the evening, was a unique, fun filled structured program designed by CV Subramanian with the main objective of raagas and its application. Raagas and swaras serve as the main building blocks of music and so this program is intended to imbibe the raaga knowledge in kids in a different, unique approach.

The second segment, Bharata Natyam was performed by students of Gayatri Subramanian. The dances were performed to live music with Gayatri Vasant on vocal, Santosh Chandru the on the mridangam, Ramnath on the flute & C V Subramanian on the violin. Students of all ages performed the traditional dances ranging from Pushpanjali, Jatiswaram, Thodaya Mangalam, Shiva Padam to Krishna Padam flawlessly. This was followed by a Dance Drama, "Vasanthavalli", a story based on Lord Shiva and Parvathi where she gets cursed to take the human form as Vasanthavalli.

This drama was originally composed & written by Padmashree Sri K.N. Dhandayudhapani Pillai and was later adapted and choreographed by Guru Smt. Padmini Radhakrishnan. The scintillating dance of Shiva, scene coordination, colorful costumes, dramatic music and special beats deserve special mention and was the highlight of the evening. The program received standing ovation at the end and there was joy on the little faces as they went on stage to received trophies.

KA Academy of Indian Music & Dance, located at Sandy Plains Rd, Marietta now also offers classes in Hindustani vocal and flute.

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