Exploring the Indian Cultural Ethos through Yoga, Natyam, Sangeetam & Samskrutam
International Conference and Workshop on the theme “Exploring the Indian Cultural Ethos through Yoga, Natyam, Sangeetam & Samskrutam” was conducted on the September 16, 2023 at ICYER-Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry as part of the 6th Decennial Meet of Vishwa Yoga Samaj (Yoga Jivana Satsanga) celebrating Yogacharini Kalaimamani Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani Ammaji’s 80th birthday.
More than 60 national and international Yoga enthusiasts, students and teachers participated in this one day event that was conducted in hybrid mode. The program saw the presence of Padma Bhushan Shri VP Dhananjayan and Smt Shanta Dhananjayan along with Yogaratna Prof Madanmohan and Prof AR Srinivasan in the Divine presence of beloved Param Pujya Ammaji.
In his keynote address by Shri VP Dhananjayan highlighted upon the true essence of Bharatha and Natyam apart from pointing out the uniqueness of Sanathana Dharma. Shri Dhananjayan and Smt Shanta appreciated and honoured Ammaji for all the yeoman services rendered to the Bharatiya traditional arts for over five decades to the entire community.
Thereafter, in the plenary session Yogaratna Prof Madanmohan, the Hon Advisor of ISCM, expounded on the topic of Karma Yoga. This was followed by the scholarly presentation on Nada Yoga by Prof AR Srinivasan, the Registrar of SBV. Last but not the least was the Plenary session, the most enjoyable one on Bhakti Yoga by Dr Subramania Ananda Venkata (Subhu Bhaiya), Director Adyatma Yoga and Founder Bhakti Yoga Peetham, Bangalore.
This was followed by a panel discussion by the senior members of the International Yoga Community and the Indian Yoga Association. Yogacharini Devasena Bhavanani, General Secretary of YOGNAT explained the role of traditional fine arts in culturing the individual, highlighting the role of Natyam. Yogacharini Jnanasundari from France highlighted the role of Yoga as applicable to the people in this modern era. Yogacharini Deepika from UK pointed out how the cultural ethos affect the way in which Pranayama is practiced and highlighted upon the enhancement of mental and emotional health through Pranayama. Yogacharini Sangeeta from Italy threw light on the unique features of Nada Yoga in culturing of an individual and Shri M Madhava, Treasurer, Karnataka Chapter of IYA, Bengaluru shared his perspective on how the exploration of Indian Cultural Ethos through Samskrutam happens. Paper Presentations by research scholars and academic students were also held. Smt Deeya Girish Ramrakshani of USA and Yogacharini Padma of Canada were the juries for this.
Dr Meena Ramanathan was the event coordinator along with Smt Lalitha Shanmugam supported ably by the other members of the organising committee such as Sri G Dayanidy, Dr R Balaji apart from the volunteers Sri Nilachal, Dr Vasundhara, Ms Akanksha and others who enabled the smooth conduct of the event.
All this wouldn’t have been possible without the expert steering and overall supervision and guidance of Prof Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, Chairman of ICYER and Director of ISCM, the dynamic and one-pointed energies of our Chinna Ammaji Dhivya Priya Bhavanani and also the cheerful and Divine presence of our beloved Param Pujya Ammaji.
