PUNE: The people of Pune were immersed in devotion to Lord Panduranga through a mesmerizing Bharatanatyam performance that combined subtle facial expressions, intricate hand gestures, rhythmic footwork and classical music accompaniment. FUEL Education organizsd “Mauli – A Timeless Tradition,” a celebration exploring the relationship between devotion, tradition, art and spirituality, at the MES Auditorium, a statement issued by the institute said.The event brought to life the spirit of the Pandharpur Wari through a special performance by internationally acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer and researcher Kalaimamani Bala Devi Chandrashekar.Through her performance, Bala Devi Chandrashekar portrayed the profound bond between Panduranga and his devotees. Along with expressive facial movements and eye gestures, she conveyed the depth of devotion through the distinctive mudras of Bharatanatyam. The presentation offered the audience an experience of the interconnectedness of the universe.The performance featured dance compositions based on the abhangs, ovis and bharuds of Sant Tukaram, Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Namdev and Sant Eknath Maharaj. The repertoire included celebrated compositions such as “Udand Pahile Udand Aikale,” “Sundar Te Dhyan,” “Roop Pahata Lochani,” “Khel Mandiyala Valavanti Ghai,” “Kashi Jau Mi Vrindavan” and “Murali Vajavito Kanha.” Through the spiritually rich medium of Bharatanatyam, the history, culture and emotional essence of the Pandharpur pilgrimage were vividly brought to life.Among those present on the occasion were Ketan Deshpande, Founder-President of FUEL Education, Mayuri Deshpande, CEO of FUEL Education; Sachin Ambardekar, CEO of Maharashtra Education Society among ohers.Speaking on the occasion, Kalaimamani Bala Devi Chandrashekar said, “Every artist draws inspiration and support from society. Therefore, artists have a responsibility to give back to the community. I have travelled from the United States to India to support the work being undertaken by FUEL Education for women’s empowerment. I have not accepted any honorarium for this programme.Deshpande said that the institution remains committed to empowering women from rural and underprivileged communities by equipping them with employable skills and enabling them to become financially independent. As part of our social commitment initiatives, we intend to organize such cultural programmes every year. Rather than charging an entry fee, we will continue our efforts to secure sponsorship from corporate organizations so that these programmes remain open and accessible to all.Bhakti Yoga is not limited to individual spiritual growth; it also inspires people to uplift the lives of others. I take pride in the ‘Mauli’ initiative. We will continue to support programmes that empower rural women through education and skill development. The programme was compered by Smita Kulkarni. The audience responded enthusiastically, applauding the performance throughout.
