Once again Bharatakalanjali and Bhaaskara Trust jointly conducted the summer Gurukulam Naatya Adhyayana camp in Kaithapram Payyanur, Kerala from April 19th to May 4th.  There were more than 100 applications and more and more enquiries coming in. But due to lack of proper accommodation they could accommodate only 85 inmates, which include 65 students and the rest staff and helpers.   

It was amazing to watch the children from the age of 9 years, coming from different parts of the globe brushing their shoulders in total camaraderie spirit and live like one family.  One could sense the purpose of their congregation only to concentrate on their learning. True to the spirit of Gurukulam the dedicated teachers spend their valuable time totally for the benefit of the students. 

The faculty members for this year's Gurukulam included  
for Bharatanaatya: Naatyaachaarya V.P.Dhananjayan & Shanta Dhananjayan assisted by  Seetha Sasidharan, Deepthi Rajesh,  Gopukiran 

For vocal music: Rajesh Trikkaripur 

For Yoga:  Naveen &  Jisha John (BA graduates from Bhaaskara college of Yoga & philosophy) under the guidance of Prof.T.V.Padmanabhan. 
  

The day starting with Yoga-aasana at 6 in the morning, chanting of the Upanishad and Yogasutra pervading the sylvan surrounding of that heavenly hill Kaithapram and then reverberating with music and naatya sessions in the temple architectural class rooms, throughout the day till late evening - all that goes to create a divine atmosphere never experienced in an urban settings. Children rough it out with just sleeping on grass mates, eat squatting down on floor, drink pure distilled water from the well straight, eating just home grown fruits and vegetables, washing their plates and clothes themselves, an experience of a life time is what this Gurukulam gave the lucky lot. Fifteen days passed at the wink of an eye and time to depart with tears in their eyes. 

Erina Kasai from Japan, Dr. Anuradha Murali from Orangeburg (USA), Pramila Ramesh and her two disciples from Muscat represented the global participation.  Students from Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Rishivalley school students, Tamizhnaadu, Karnataka, Andhrapradesh  truly brought an integrated Bhaaratam.  

The day's hard work of practicing Naatya, learning the music and memorizing the Naatya theory slokas (verses) was broken by the spell of Bhajan (group prayer singing) in the twilight setting of a breathtaking sunset scene, taking the children to a celestial world of spirituality.  Here they all get an opportunity to display their talent in singing  and histrionics.  

The students relaxed and enjoyed the lighter application in-group dancing choreographed by two of the faculty members Gopukiran helped by Madhavi Chandran (senior student) and Venugopala Rao. (Pookkal & Leelavathi) breaking the strenuous serious study of Naatya. 
The participants also got opportunities to witness the rural ritualistic arts forms such as "Theyyam", Harimohan's special instrumental ensemble of complicated taala system, and Majulan's one man theater show in Malayalam. 

May 3rd, the culmination day found a large crowd of local villagers, parents and relatives of the students witnessing the few Bharatanaatyam repertoires they learned during the two weeks camp.  Prof (Dr.)KKN Kurup (Former Vice Chancellor of Calicut University) and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Kannur University Dr. K.Kunhikrishnan awarded the certificates to all the participants. 

Sri Dhananjayan donated more than 500 books from his collection to the Sanjaya memorial Library in Payyanur and it was received by Sri.Sekharan Maash, who is heading the Library. This library is adjudged as the best library in Kerala with largest collection of books, and a well-organized literary house. 

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