Bharata Natyam: Expanding Horizons

Komala Vardan is a unique personality who has attained eminence simultaneously in the diverse fields of sphere of her activity is marked by originality and creativity. Documentary on her titled “A Versatile Artiste – Komala Varadan.” As a dancer her innovative efforts resulted in her choreographic compositions are the rendering of Panchali Sabadam of Mahakavi Subramanya Bharati, mono ballets on the Buddha theme and the presentation of Shri Ram Charit Manas of Tulsidas as a full-fledged, solo Bharata Natyam recital, by combining North Indian Poetry and a South Indian dance style. This has won her acclaim all over the country. This was serialized and telecast, in the National Network, by Doordarshan. Government of Tamil Nadu conferred on her, the Kalaimamani title for dance, Karnataka Government gave her, the Rajyotsava Award for dance, and she received the Sahitya Kala Parishad Samman in Delhi for multifaceted excellence. She has won several other titles and awards. Komala Varadan has made many concert tours abroad. She has also presented a programme in the UN Auditorium, New York. She visited Japan in 1989 on the invitation of the Japan Foundation, extended to nationally eminent artists. She was invited by the Chinese Government to participate in the 3rd China Art Festival held in February-March 1992. She was the Indian Delegate to the 11th International Ramayana Conference held in Thailand. As a painter, Komala Varadan has developed a unique style, in presenting dance movements on the canvas. Her works have been exhibited, in several cities, including the National Exhibition organized by the Central Lalit Kala Academy. Her paintings have been acquired by the National Gallery of Modern Art and many other prestigious organizations and private Collectors. A dancer being a painter is rare and still rarer is a dancer painting on the theme of dance. In recognition of this unique achievement, Komala Varadan was featured in the news bulletin of Los Angeles TV, under the title “India – Painting Comes Alive.” Komala Varadan is a reputed writer of short stories in Tamil. Her stories have won awards. She has also published novels. A Hindi translation of her selected short stories has been released in book form. She has been attending the World Tamil Conferences including the last one held in Tanjavur, where she also gave a dance recital. Komala Varadan contributes illustrated articles in English to leading magazines and newspapers on a variety of subjects. Her photographic contributions have won awards in national and international Salons. Komal Varadan has established an Institution in Delhi called Kalaikoodam to promote arts, literature and culture without regional or linguistic bias. Kalaikoodam has done commendable work in bringing the sub-cultures and the literature of different regions of the country together. Komala Varadan’s latest choreographic composition titled “Prakritim Vande” – Salutation to Nature is a multimedia presentation of Dance and Colour Slides. This was serialized by Doordarshan and won a Certificate of Special Merit in the International Film Festival on Care for Nature, held in Bangalore in October, 1994. A clipping of this was shown in the News Bulletin of U.S. T.V.