The curtains open to the closed doors of the gurukulam and dawn breaking just then. The doors are removed, revealing the courtyard of the house, complete with old-fashioned carved pillars and a Thulasi plant. The guru walks in with the musicians, Sri O.S.Arun, vocalist, Sri K.T.Sevaganesh, Violinist, Sri Ramesh Babu, percussionist and Sri B.Muthukumar, flautist. After a brief pooja, they settle down to a practice session.

A set of adavus followed by the Nandi Chol were performed by the dancers. The classroom atmosphere thus created was enhanced by the use of the 'thatt kazhi' by the guru, instead of cymbals.

'Everikai Avatharam' in Devamanohari ragam, composed by Saint Thyagaraja was presented by Narendra. Next was a swarajathi by Shyama Shastri in ragam Todi, 'Raave Himagiri Kumari'. Full of bhakthi for the Goddess Kamakshi, the dancers co-ordinated well in the crisp nritta sequences and in the alankaram of the idol. This was choreographed by Guru Lakshmanam. 'Payyadha' was elaborated by Bragha. A soulful rendering by O.S.Arun had the audience caught in the intensity of the mood. The padam, in Nadhanamakriya by Kshetragna, is a lament of the nayika abandoned by her hitherto devoted husband. Bragha acquitted herself admirably in this heavy piece.

The practice session over, the guru leaves the place. The musician, Arun, bursts into kalpana swara. Loosing themselves in the melody, the dancers begin moving to the swaras. Narendra, Sreelatha, Mahalakshmi and Joy create rhythm and movement in one of the most delightful moments of the evening.

The second half of the programme was a performance by the dancers in the neighbourhood Shiva temple. A mallari in Gambira Nattai ragam was followed by the Chokkeswarar Kautthuvam in Shankarabarnam. The latter was both choreographed and performed by Narendra. A thaalatu in Neelambari ragam for Goddess Meenakshi was presented by Sreelatha. This piece preceeded Meenakshi Kalyanam. The music for this was composed by Sri O.S.Arun and Sri K.T.Sivaganesh. The lyrics were by Smt.Revathy Sankkaran and choreography by Narendra. The story begins with the birth of the Goddess from the ceremonial fore of a yagna. She grows up proficient in the fine arts as well as in the martial arts. When she comes face to face with Shiva, she is unable to lift her weapons. Her third-breast deformity disappears. The wedding of Shiva and Meenakshi takes place.

The five dancers concluded with a Thillana in Senchurutti, a composition of Veena Subanna, choreographed by Narendra. A well-executed and fitting finale to the programme. The temple performance is over and it is back to the gurukulam. Darkness falls, and the doors close once again......A very poignant moment that leaves you nostalgic and wishing for more......

Cleveland Cultural Academy is presenting Abhyaasa in 20 programmes all over the United States of America between April and June 1999. A show worth seeing.