The founder of Kalasadan Institute of Fine Arts, which became his first name, was born on Teacher’s Day. To commemorate Guru Kalasadan Mani’s birth anniversary, his descendants and disciples celebrate Guru Abhivadan Divas every year. Natrajgopal Mani, son of Guru Mani, who currently heads the institution, says, “He always wanted to celebrate his birthday by felicitating teachers and artistes, who have dedicated their lives to the service of arts and education.” He adds, “In today's fast life, it is a challenge to sustain the art. But every year we are able to stage this event and carry forward our father's legacy with the support of our well-wishers.” This year’s event was hosted at the Mysore Association Auditorium, Matunga, with Mohana Nair, a corporate lawyer, as the Guest of Honour. The event began with tributes to artistes and personalities who passed away recently such as Balamuralikrishna, Abdul Halim Jaffar Khan, Guru Gauri Panicker, J. Jayalalitha and C. R. Balasubramanian (Kalasadan trustee). On the occasion, three gurus, Prasanna Nambiar ( Dance), Surekha Joshi (Hindustani Music and Sanskrit) and C.R.Krishnan (Carnatic Music) were felicitated. Senior disciples from the various centres of Kalasadan participated and staged two of Guru Mani’s favourite works, ‘Dashavatara’ by Jayadeva and episodes from the Ramayana, as Nrityanjali, to him. Excellent music and technical support from the Kalasadan team comprising Sharada Ganesan (nattuvangam), Sriram Narainswamy and Aparna Kannan (vocals), Natrajgopal Mani (mridangam), V R Narayanan (flute), N R Ganesan (morsing) and Ganesh (lighting) added to the quality of well-choreographed pieces. Guru Mani's daughter Sharada Ganesan adds, “It is because of the goodwill of our father that we are able to continue his work and his dream project of the Chintamani Ashram, an arts centre at Titwala.” Now the third generation is also involved in the arts. Sriram Narainswamy is an up-and-coming musician and composer while Nandini Ganesan, has taken up dance. The event was well attended by dance gurus and rasikas. The presence of Guru Vasanth Kumar of Sri Rajarajeswari Bharatanatya Kala Mandir, Mumbai, where Guru Mani began his dance training made Guru Abhivadan Divas more meaningful.

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