<p>Celebrating the third year since the creation of the Bangalore chapter of Lady Shri Ram (LSR) College Alumni, a screening of ‘The Unseen Sequence – Exploring Bharatanatyam Through the Art of Malavika Sarukkai’ by film-maker Sumantra Ghosal was recently held at Vivanta By Taj, Yeshwanthpur. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Before the screening, a film made by an LSR alumnus Vandana Kohli on the college and its values was showcased. <br /><br />One could see the smiling faces of ex-students across batches sitting up every time a familiar face or place was seen on screen.<br /><br />Following this, ‘The Unseen Sequence’ started with a beautiful sequence of Malavika dancing in a trance-like manner in the Chidambaram Temple. <br /><br />In the first ten minutes itself, the title of the film was explained. <br /><br />It went something on the lines of ‘dance is all about suggesting the infinite in a moment. <br /><br />It’s about performing the unseen sequence, not only what the audience sees’.<br /><br />Throughout the film, there was a very interesting narrative that revealed lesser known facets of the danseuse’s personal life and journey with the classical form. <br /><br />It also beautifully recreated the history of young ‘devadasi’ temple dancers and even traced the history of bharatanatyam till the modern context. <br /><br />What kept the viewer gripped was the honest way in which Malavika would open up about what the dance meant to her. <br /> From admitting that it requires a person to let go of their own perceived image of themselves to how there is a deep dialogue taking place when one dances in front of the sanctum sanctorum, it was an insightful journey for all.<br /><br />“There was beauty and grace in the film and it was wonderful to get a chance to see a full-length film on a danseuse like Malavika. It’s a must-watch for both dancers and non-dancers,” said Radhika, an audience member, adding, “It’s one of the nicest non-fiction films I’ve seen.”<br /><br />In the post-screening interactive session moderated by alumnus Vinita Bali, Sumantra and Malavika intelligently responded to the questions, making it an even more enjoyable experience.<br /><br />Rashmi Misra, president, LSR Bangalore Alumnae Chapter, was happy with the turnout. <br /><br />“Malavika, you’re a role model for us and what LSR stands for – leadership through excellence powered by intellect and free thinking,” she told Malavika. <br /><br />She added, “The idea behind this event was to have a chance for the entire LSR group in Bangalore to get together and give back to the college. When we’re together, we feel 18!”<br /></p>
<p>Celebrating the third year since the creation of the Bangalore chapter of Lady Shri Ram (LSR) College Alumni, a screening of ‘The Unseen Sequence – Exploring Bharatanatyam Through the Art of Malavika Sarukkai’ by film-maker Sumantra Ghosal was recently held at Vivanta By Taj, Yeshwanthpur. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Before the screening, a film made by an LSR alumnus Vandana Kohli on the college and its values was showcased. <br /><br />One could see the smiling faces of ex-students across batches sitting up every time a familiar face or place was seen on screen.<br /><br />Following this, ‘The Unseen Sequence’ started with a beautiful sequence of Malavika dancing in a trance-like manner in the Chidambaram Temple. <br /><br />In the first ten minutes itself, the title of the film was explained. <br /><br />It went something on the lines of ‘dance is all about suggesting the infinite in a moment. <br /><br />It’s about performing the unseen sequence, not only what the audience sees’.<br /><br />Throughout the film, there was a very interesting narrative that revealed lesser known facets of the danseuse’s personal life and journey with the classical form. <br /><br />It also beautifully recreated the history of young ‘devadasi’ temple dancers and even traced the history of bharatanatyam till the modern context. <br /><br />What kept the viewer gripped was the honest way in which Malavika would open up about what the dance meant to her. <br /> From admitting that it requires a person to let go of their own perceived image of themselves to how there is a deep dialogue taking place when one dances in front of the sanctum sanctorum, it was an insightful journey for all.<br /><br />“There was beauty and grace in the film and it was wonderful to get a chance to see a full-length film on a danseuse like Malavika. It’s a must-watch for both dancers and non-dancers,” said Radhika, an audience member, adding, “It’s one of the nicest non-fiction films I’ve seen.”<br /><br />In the post-screening interactive session moderated by alumnus Vinita Bali, Sumantra and Malavika intelligently responded to the questions, making it an even more enjoyable experience.<br /><br />Rashmi Misra, president, LSR Bangalore Alumnae Chapter, was happy with the turnout. <br /><br />“Malavika, you’re a role model for us and what LSR stands for – leadership through excellence powered by intellect and free thinking,” she told Malavika. <br /><br />She added, “The idea behind this event was to have a chance for the entire LSR group in Bangalore to get together and give back to the college. When we’re together, we feel 18!”<br /></p>
