MARKING its golden jubilee, the Bharatha Kalaanjalii Malaysia (BKM) institution for Indian classical dance will present a special production titled “Swarnarekha” in Kuala Lumpur next month.
The event will not only celebrate BKM’s five decades of dedication to the art form but also pay tribute to Meera Venugopal, a distinguished figure in the Malaysian Indian classical dance scene.
Meera, a pioneer student of Bharatha Kalaanjalii, is recognised for her significant contributions to the arts.
Meera is a disciple of VP Dhananjayan and Shanta Dhananjayan, who together are fondly known as “The Dhananjayans”.
Performing her arangetram (debut performance) in 1973 under Shanta and Karakudi Krishnamurthy, Meera went on to master the nattuvangam rhythmic accompaniment in 1984.
Her unwavering commitment to Indian classical arts in Malaysia has been acknowledged over the years.
She is the recipient of prestigious awards like the Kala Seva Award (2009) and Certificate of Appreciation (2010).
In 2021, she was conferred the Lifetime Arts Achievement Award by the Indian High Commission in Malaysia.
To date, Meera has choreographed a total of 270 pieces over 35 years.
After the “Swarnarekha” production, Meera will continue teaching bharatanatyam and nattuvangam pieces to eligible pupils.
BKM, based in Klang, Selangor, has over the years presented 35 performances and facilitated 38 arangetram.
The school is inviting audiences of all races to mark its 50th anniversary, with several activities arranged for the year-long celebration.
These will include dance set pieces, refresher courses for dance teachers and students, seminars and workshops on Indian classical arts.
The “Swarnarekha” performance is scheduled for 6.27pm, Aug 24, at Temple of Fine Arts in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.
For enquiries, call 019-253 4970 (Rajdessh). For tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/avx9nshx
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