PUNE: The people of Pune indulge themselves in devotion to Lord Panduranga through mesmerizing performances of Bharatanatyam that incorporate subtle facial expressions, intricate hand gestures, rhythmic footwork and classical music accompaniment. FUEL Education organized ‘Mauli – An Eternal Tradition’ celebration at the MES auditorium to explore the relationship between devotion, tradition, art and spirituality, a statement issued by the institution said.The event brought alive the spirit of Pandharpur Wari through a special performance by internationally renowned Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer and researcher Kalaimamani Bala Devi Chandrashekar.Bharadvichandra Shekhar depicts the deep bond between Panduranga and his devotees through her performance. In addition to expressive facial movements and eye movements, she conveys the depth of devotion through her unique Bharatanatyam mudra. The presentation provides the audience with an experience of the interconnectedness of the universe.The dance pieces performed were based on the abhangs, ovis and bharud of Sant Tukaram, Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Namdev and Sant Eknath Maharaj. The repertoire includes famous works 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 historical, cultural and emotional essence of the Pandharpur pilgrimage is vividly brought to life.Present at this event were Ketan Deshpande, founder and president of FUEL Education, Mayuri Deshpande, CEO of FUEL Education; Sachin Ambardekar, CEO of Maharashtra Education Association, etc.Kalaimamani Bala Devi Chandrashekar said, “Every artist draws inspiration and support from society. Therefore, it is the artist’s responsibility to give back to the society. I traveled to India from the US to support the work of FUEL Education for women empowerment. I did not receive any honorarium from this programme.Deshpande said the agency remains committed to empowering women from rural and poor communities by providing them with employable skills and making them financially independent. As part of our social commitment programme, we intend to organize such cultural events every year. We will continue to work to secure sponsorship from corporate organizations rather than charging entry fees so that these programs remain open and accessible to all.Bhakti Yoga is not limited to personal spiritual growth; it also inspires people to improve the lives of others. I am proud of the ‘Mauli’ initiative. We will continue to support projects that empower rural women through education and skills development. Smita Kulkarni compares the program. The audience responded enthusiastically and gave the performance warm applause.
