Lifetime Achievement Award in the field of Arts given to Alarmelvalli, SVe Shekhar, Aravindakshan and Radhakrishnan Sthapathi at Provoke Arts Festival held in Chennai.
In the presence of Legendary contributors in the field of art , the exponents of classical music and classical dance had performed at Lady Andal School Premises in Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall, Chetpet. The city is lit up as the Provoke Art Festival commenced on oct 21st 2023. The festival aims at taking art to all the people , whether they have pursued it in past or not. To make it more interpretable, Artists have taken up themes such as Agathe – The Inner Fire by Leela Samson and Spanda, and Samathuvam by TM Krishna .
The Spandas program at the Provoke festival featured three pieces:
1. *Spandamaatrika by OS Arun* This piece, choreographed in 1995, artistically explored space with a multitude of dancers forming dynamic configurations. It showcased the beauty of five integral jaathis, namely Chatushram, Thisram, Misram, Kandam, and Sankeernam, set to the beats of 3, 4, 7, 5, and 9.
2. *Ardhanaree in Kumudakriya* :This composition by Muthuswami Dikshitir delved into the androgynous form of Shiva, representing one half as Parvathy and the other as Shiva.
3. *Thillana Medley in Ragams Revathi, Madhuvanthi, & Kalyanavasantham* :The performance concluded with a medley of thillanas composed by the renowned Violin Maestro Lalgudi G Jayaraman, blending the ragams of Revathi, Madhuvanthi, and Kalyanavasantham.
T M Krishna performed many interesting songs based on the theme Samathuvam. He started with the soulful Then Amudhey Varuga and took the rasikas through a wonderful journey of equality based songs. His Vaishnav Jan to and Yaadhum oorey were a fitting finale to the amazing evening everyone witnessed.
The chief guests of the event were PMK Leader Mr Anbumani Ramadoss and Mrs Sowmya Anbumani, Avadi Commissioner Mr Shankar , Actress Kushboo , CEO of Chennai Super Sings Mr Kasi Viswanathan , Paulsons Beauty & Fashion Private Limited Director & Legal Head Mr.Sampaul and Ashwini Sampaul . Dhoni gave a video byte wishing the team for Provoke Art Festival and it was screened at the event. Actress Aditi Balan , Piyush , Legendary dancers Gopika , Nithya and many more artists attended the event.
The festival is also taking pride in honouring Art connoisseurs who have been instrumental in creating a name for themselves at the world stage for their chosen art forms . These award recipients include Padma Bhushan Alarmel Valli , Kalaimamani S Ve Shekhar, Ganabhooshanam V A Aravindakshan and D Radhakrishna Sthapathy. The Rasikas have shown overwhelming response with their presence in all excitement for this event.
After receiving the award, S. Ve. Shekhar mentioned that it is a blessing to receive an award while still working in the art industry and it is a pension if it is given after the work is over. He also said that he is happy to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Anbumani Ramadoss said that India is full of diversity and we have to build and save it and said that awards have been given to deserving people in this program. He said that the younger generation who follow modernism and capitalism should also know about our art and culture.
Later speaking , Khushbhu Sundar said that it was a great pleasure to participate in the event and the Lifetime Achievement Award is not an ordinary thing. She also informed that Lifetime Achievement Award has been given to outstanding artistes.
Provoke , the happening lifestyle magazine is a Unit of Paulsons which owns other brands like Toni and Guy, Slam Fitness Centers , Jonah’s Bistro and this also marks their milestone celebration of 500 outlets for the brand.
