SA Indian arts institute hosts first alumni concert

Institute of Indian Arts and Culture graduates gathered at Gandhi Hall in Lenasia for their first alumni concert.

It was a special day for graduates of the Institute of Indian Arts and Culture when they gathered at the Gandhi Hall in Lenasia, the Indian township south of here, for their first alumni concert.

Twenty of the more than 50 graduates of the institute from all over Gauteng, some now married with children and professionals in their own right, reminisced about their days as young students of the 30-year-old institute founded by India-born dancer Satyabhama Kollapen soon after she settled in Laudium.

Many other students who would have liked to join in the celebratory performance could not do so due to time constraints or other commitments.

"We have been working for the past three weeks on our show, titled Natya Vedham, a typical Bharatanatyam programme," said Anushia Pillay, a former student of the institute, who is now a teacher at the school.

Hanita Muthura, manager of a wedding and conference centre; Thanusha Naidoo, an architectural technologist, and Akashia Baktawar, who runs an education centre, were among the oldest graduates who participated in the event.

"It felt very good coming back to dance after not having done so for 11 years, but it was very difficult getting back to form," said Akashia.

But the three friends joined many younger students of the institute to render a group item that had the audience raving and, that too, with minimal rehearsal.

The institute now hopes to make the alumni concert an annual event so that young and old enthusiasts of Bharatanatyam can share their experiences and learn from each other.

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