Deccan Herald November 18, 2004
Though the Smriti-Nandan cultural centre’s auditorium was inaugurated only recently, its activities have been conducted in the premises of its dedicated prime mover, Lalita Ubhayaker, for much longer. Weekend classes for children, for example, were established several years ago. For the past two years, Nrityagram has also been glad of a base in the heart of the City to conduct its dance classes.
Children have been a very special concern of the Ubhayakers who believe that growing up in cities and with undue emphasis placed on academics, children have little opportunity to appreciate nature or develop inherent creativity. Exposure to music, crafts and dance fosters very valuable qualities. Weekend workshops seek to redress this neglect, with fee-paying children making attendance possible for underprivileged children (who are also given free tiffin).
An ideal parity prevails while they listen to story-telling, chant slokas or do yoga together. Set in the midst of a beautifully luxuriant garden, the centre is an idyllic oasis for the growth of such young minds and spirits.
With the building now complete, Lalita’s spring programme will expand Smriti-Nandan’s activities. She plans to include theatre workshops, weaving and clay modelling for children, as well as offer the space for any cultural group’s activities.
With a seating capacity of about 150, as well as flexibility of performance space, it is ideal for poetry readings, interactive theatre, salon-style music concerts, slide or lecture demonstrations and exhibitions.
Lalita’s involvement extends beyond children, reaching out to the other end of the age spectrum: She has been running Ashvasan, a voluntary service organisation to help the aged and lonely. The centre will serve as the venue for its meetings and annual seminars on issues relevant to the elderly. More importantly, as a recreational centre where Ashvasan’s senior citizens can meet.
In time, Smriti-Nandan centre will undoubtedly become as well-known as Lalita’s other noteworthy commitment like the Devnandan Ubhayaker Yuva Sangeet Utsav. This annual highlight in the City’s Indian classical music calendar continues to showcase young disciples of eminent gurus.
Encouragement of such talented but little-known musicians is a brave conviction in the face of growing commercialisation in the arts. This vision has been justified – also proving amply rewarding for the organisers - by the fact that some of these musicians have gone on to distinguish themselves, achieving stature and fame both in India and abroad.
Admission to the concerts continues to be free though the venue is now the Chowdiah, a change also indicative of how this utsav has grown; from smaller auditoria like the Yavanika and the Alliance Française to the Guru Nanak Bhavan and in its 18th year, it graduates to the Chowdiah on November 20 and 21.
The inauguration on Saturday evening is followed by vocal and santoor recitals, while Sunday morning has two vocal recitals. The evening session of a dhrupad vocalist and sitar performance will close the utsav. All vocalists are proponents of Hindustani classical.