The audience at Ardra Hall were truly spell-bound with the spectacular performance by Sutikshna Veeravalli, a physically-challenged NRI youngster known for her prowess in Carnatic music and dance.
The audience at Ardra Hall were truly spell-bound with the spectacular performance by Sutikshna Veeravalli, a physically-challenged NRI youngster known for her prowess in Carnatic music and dance.
During the concert, Sutikshna captivated the people with seven songs including Hiranmayim Lakshmim by Muthuswamy Dikshitar, Brovabarama by Thyagaraja, Ma Janaki by Thyagaraja, Deva Devam by Annamacharya and Karpagam by Swathi Thirunal.
Thanks to her uncle S.Ramesh Kumar, as a number of Coimbatoreans could savor her music during the two-hour concert offered by Rajalakshmi Fine Arts, as part of the NRI Music Festival in conjunction with the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival Committee.
Sutikshna means 'sharp' and she sure is the 23-year-old. Her father, Madhavan is a well-versed singer and mother, Vanitha Veeravalli is a talented dancer. Sutikshna was brought up in Chicago and pursued her undergraduate programme in English & Psychology, specializing in neuro-science from the University of Illinois (USA).
Though Sutikshna had congenital issues (she has no palm in one hand and wears prosthesis in one leg) dance and music were an integral part of her life right from her younger days. Despite her disabilities, she remained resolute in her determination to succeed and pursue her goals and dreams.
She learnt the art form from, R.Suryaprakash of the Madurai Mani Iyer lineage and also was trained for over a decade by her mother Vanita Veeravalli, who is presently the Director, Bharatam Academy of Dance Arts, Naperville, Chicago. Over the years, Sutikshna, an epitome of credence has absorbed over 30 'varnams' and a number of 'keerthanas'.
In an exclusive chat with the young dancer cum singer on her journey and what music and dance means to her, she strongly remarked "Music and dance are part of my life".
"As one practices dance and music, over a period of time, truly his/her body awareness will elevate to a higher level. Especially, those Children with a spectrum of complexity are gifted with an innate sense of music which in turn revives them. Also, it is important to understand that with so much of goodness to offer, it isn't a template fix. It certainly varies from individual to individual. However, there is something in music and something in dance that strikes a place that intellect cannot fathom", opined the dancer cum musician.
"We have the group 'Anubhava' where about half a dozen of us consisting of musicians and dancers perform with our own choreography in a number of places like Chicago, Ohio, Cleveland, New Jersey, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Raleigh, Madison, Lexington, Washington DC etc., Truly, we are a self-contained and self sufficient group of ardent music lovers", smiled Sutikshna.
According to Sutikshna, music can be used as a therapy too. The young talent is set to assist people circumvent their difficulties through music and dance.
"Though for many, music is just another time-pass, entertainment or something connected with prayers. I believe and intend to take forward the concept 'Music as a therapy'. As it would embolden and empower people to face challenges and assuage them from issues in the long run", brimmed Sutikshna with confidence who has won a number of accolades globally.
Apart from music and dance, Sutikshna aspires to pursue masters in behavioral sciences and is keen to use music and dance as part of therapy to assist 'special' children and transform their hardships into happiness. Truly, Sutikshna has proved "strong-willed talent defies disability."