Saturday, 4th of May 2013 was a red-letter day in the life of Ms Sonia Kalra, Principal NISHCHINTAM SCHOOL OF DANCE & MUSIC. NISHCHINTAM SCHOOL OF DANCE & MUSIC, a dance academy situated in our very own Dwarka, imparts training in Bharatanatyam to children aspiring to learn this beautiful ancient art form. Founded four years ago, the dance academy has forty students aspiring to master the classical art of Bharatanatyam. Ms Sonia Kalra herself is an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer and has learnt Bharatanatyam at the feet of her Guru, renowned Bharatanatyam exponent, Smt. Kanaka Sudhakar.
Sonia Kalra has won several awards and prizes in many competitions including the national level dance festival organized by Akhil Bharatiya Sanskrutik Sangh in Pune. After completing her Vishaarad Poorna and performing Arangetram in October 2010, Sonia set up her own dance school in Dwarka, realizing a long-cherished dream. Sonia is training dozens of children in this art. She has performed in various functions at several venues all over the capital including the prestigious Commonwealth Games 2010 as well as the coveted Delhi International Arts Festival in 2009. Her dance has been telecast by Doordarshan Delhi. It was Sonia’s dream that she open her own dance school one day, thus making the first Annual Day of her school a red-letter day indeed.
The dance school presented eleven dances mainly base on Lord Ganesha. Sonia kalra herself presented the most challenging piece of a Bharatanatyam Maargam – the Varnam – on Lord Nataraja.
The Chief Guests of the evening were Shri Mukundan General Secretary Delhi Tamil Sangam and Smt. Mythili Attavar, General Secretary SUNAINA, Society for Upliftment of National Arts of India. Shri Mukundan in his address appreciated the efforts of Ms Sonia Kalra and assured to give her troupe an opportunity to perform in the Delhi Tamil Sangam. Smt. Mythili Attavar also addressed the gathering and informed that she knew Tripti for many years from the time Sonia was learning dance. Expressing her admiration for a girl from a North Indian background not only mastering this art form but also propagating the same, Smt. Mythili Attavar elaborated the challenges encountered by Sonia and many like her, in transcending the borders of language and culture.
Presenting the vote of thanks, Ms Sonia Kalra expressed gratitude to Shri Mukundan and Smt. Attavar for having graced the function with their august presence. She also expressed grateful thanks to Lord Ayyappa for showering his blessings on the budding artistes. The programnme concluded with the audience joining for Prasadam and receiving the blessings of Lord Ayyappa. Sapna Attavar anchored the whole event.
