'Woes of Yasodhara'

The anguish of Yasodhara, the abandoned wife of Buddha, is not a common subject for Mohiniyattam. But, on the concluding day of the Kalotsavam here on Monday, her woes were portrayed by at least three students at the main venue in Marine Drive.

Madhavi Chandran, a student of Darsana HSS, Nedumangad, Thiruvananthapuram, who won the first prize in the event, began her dance with 'Buddham Saranam Gachhami... ' Interestingly, it was composed by her own mother and well-known dance teacher Girija Chandran. Madhavi has also won first prizes in Flute and Ottanthullal.

There were a total number of 20 participants for Mohiniyattam, with six students performing with the support of appeals. The common songs including 'Pannagendra... ,' and 'Devanampriya... .' were presented at the competition. Fourteen participants were given `A' grade.

Reforms successful
Education Minister E.T. Mohammed Basheer has said that the reforms effected in the festival manuals for the 46th State School Kalolsavam have been successful. Talking to reporters at the media centre of the festival he, however, said the continuing flood of appeals was the major problem affecting the conduct of the festival.
R.R.
(The Hindu-24/01/06, Tuesday)