Reminiscing Smriti Pravah - A dedication to Atthai by Kalakshetra Alumni

Remembering the flow of memories…

At the turn of the millennium, an ardent lover of Bharatanatyam and a devoted disciple of Kalakshetra, Swagata Sen Pillai decided to pay her respects to the memory of her illustrious Guru, Smt Rukmini Devi Arundale, with a 2-day dance festival commemorating the birth anniversary of the great dancer-reformist. Thus started the practice of inviting Kalakshetra alumni to come and perform every year on the 29th of February - if it was a leap year, or the 28th on all other years, to celebrate their incredible Atthai and her exemplary work.

And so was born 'Smriti Pravah'… a flow of memories.

With Swagata no longer among us, her dearest friends, Archita Mehta and Tripti Bhupen have decided to continue this tradition of dedicating an evening to their Guru, through Reminiscing Smriti Pravah, in memory of the memories…

The first edition of Reminiscing Smriti Pravah includes:

Introduction of the series by Archita Mehta, Swagata's friend from Kalakshetra

Kriti in Hamsadhvani - Karunai Seivai by Dr Priyashri Rao, Kalakshetra alumna

Short history of Smriti Pravah by Rajesh Khar, a friend of Swagata's

Excerpt from Smriti Pravah, 2003 in Dubai - introduction of Smriti Pravah by
Tripti Bhupen - Swagata's friend from Kalakshetra, and Swagata Sen Pillai

Chatushra Alarippu by Archita Mehta & Tripti Bhupen

Shabdam in Kambodi - Swami Ninne by Archita Mehta & Tripti Bhupen

Keertanam in Ragamalika - Nee Uraippai by Swagata Sen Pillai with Simar Singh,
Kalakshetra alumnus

Keertanam in Ragamalika - Jaganmohanane by Simar Singh

Ashtapadi in Desh - Pashyati Dishi Dishi by Archita Mehta

Javali in Surutti - Sariga Kongu by Ashwini Rao, Kalakshetra alumna

Shlokam in Ragamalika - Yaam Drishtva Yamunaam by Tripti Bhupen

(Editing and Voice Over by Gayatri Mahadevan, a student of Swagata's and Archita's)