On Sunday, 13 October 2013, the Yatra Arts Foundation celebrated its eighth anniversary and Sarawati Puja with an evening of music and dance. With the presence of both the performers and the audience, the evening started with an offering to Saraswati; the dancers chanted a popular mantra in honor of the gods, veenas were blessed, and oil lamps were lit. The program began with opening remarks about the Foundation from director Yatra Srinivassan and two folk songs sung by Yatra Srinivassan himself and street theatre member and Yatra Arts Foundation administrative coordinator, A. Arulmozhi.
The children danced their popular Bharatanatyam and folk dances for the crowd, and a special duo performed a modern hip-hop dance, which became a crowd favorite. Four children showcased their veena talents, including a premier performance by the only male veena student at Yatra. Guest performer and long-time Yatra supporter Lousie Robinson sang two songs, making the evening truly multicultural. After a short address to the audience by Yatra English teacher and Evening Tuition volunteer Rachel Hardy, each performer received certificates of participation and a memento of the event, and the evening concluded with heartfelt gratitude to all the supporters of Yatra over the past eight years.
Yatra would like thank painting teacher Osiva and Yatra Multimedia cameraman Rajaram for documenting the event through video and photography. Yatra would also like to acknowledge Adilakshmi for coordinating the anniversary event and arranging for the performers costumes and makeup, and performer Priyadharshini for her tireless efforts in choreographing the evening’s folk dances. In addition, Yatra thanks Evening Tuition teacher Nandhini for her assistance in event activities.
For more pictures, check out our Facebook page or go to our photo gallery.