(Principle artist: OS Arun)The Indian Academy of South Africa presents its 32nd Annual Heritage Series, which is always heralded as a highly acclaimed cultural event. The presentations showcase classical, semi-classical and devotional music and dance featuring top artistes from India supported by guest appearances by South African artists. This cause of preserving, promoting and presenting our rich cultural heritage has been the ongoing aim of the Indian Academy, now proudly 52 years old.
The Indian Academy is an NPO and despite hard pressed economic times and lack of funding it continue to persevere in its quest to promote, preserve and uplift our rich Indian Heritage.
The IASA was founded by well-known and respected Dr T P Naidoo who received many awards for his role in the promotion of the arts and culture in South Africa and for building bridges across the world.
Dr TP Naidoo passed away on May 9, 2012, after a long and bravely-fought battle with cancer. This year’s festival will be dedicated to his memory. It will be a bittersweet moment for friends, family and supporters when he is posthumously presented with this year’s Swami Thyagaraja Award for his contribution to the arts and culture - not only in South Africa but also abroad.
The Swami Thyagaraja Music Festival was started by Dr Naidoo 37 years ago and has produced a consistently excellent programme. It is the only festival of this nature in South Africa and is presented worldwide in tribute to Swami Thyagaraja, a great poet and composer of classical krithis.
The acclaimed O S Arun is featured as principal artist alongside well-known dancer, Dr Padma Subrahmanyam and her troupe of seven dancers.
This year’s Swami Thyagaraja Music Festival will take place on May 20 at 14h00 in the Durban City Hall. Tickets R50: R40 and R30 from B Nagiahs on 031 400 5565; S K Naidoos on 031 401 8153; Little India Restaurant on 031 201 1121; Sahara Veg on 032 533 8790 and the Indian Academy of South Africa on 031 400 7962/400 2725. More information from Vasantha on 074 124 6889 and 031 400 7962 or email: naidoovsm@telkomsa.net
The remainder of the Heritage Series concerts still to come are:
May 18 at 19h00: Grand Devotional Concert: Tamil Telugu Hindi presented in association with Shree Mariammen Temple Society & Woodview Ramakrishna Andhra Sabha in the Mount Edgecombe Shree Mariammen Temple Hall. Admission R50. Enquiries to Kusturi Naidoo 031 505 9567/Temple: 031 502 1232
May 19 at 17h30: Sangeeth Samelan - North Indian Songs and Music presented in association with SVM Promotions at the Kendra Hall. Admission R100. Enquiries to Ranitha Sookdeo on 031 400 2725.
This year’s media partners are: Eastern Express, Eastern Mosaic/SABC 2, Lotus FM and special corporate support from Pick n Pay and Toyota South Africa & New National Assurance Company. Hospitality sponsor: Garden Court: Marine Parade “Southern Sun”.
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