Guru Chandrasekharan
Guru Chandrasekharan held tenure at the Visva Bharati University (Santiniketan) from 1947 to 1950, where he was a Professor of Classical Dance, focusing on Kathakali.
During that period Guru Gopinath received Royal Patronage from the Palace of Travancore and a dance studio titled 'Sri.
Having left Guru Gopinath after some time, Chandrasekharan practised Kathakali under Nedumudi Narayana Kurup who was also an artist under the patronage of the Royal Palace of Travancore.
For "Voice of Travancore", Chandrasekhran's performance was praised in the report published by the All India Educational Conference held in Trivandrum in 1946.
Another well-received composition by the Guru was "Polinja Deepam" (The Light That Died) depicting the sad end of Mahatma Gandhi, which he produced in 1948.
During his tenure he met and got well acquainted with the likes of Prof. Humayun Kabir, Zakir Husain (former President of India), etc.
Chandrasekharan's creative contribution includes such compositions as Voice of Travancore, Manishada, Shiva Thandavam, Ganesha Nritham, Ardhanareeswaram, Surya Nritham, Geethopadesam, Kalidasa's Kumara Sambhavam, Sakunthalam, Kumaran Asan's Chandala Bhikshuki, Vallathol's Magdalena Mariyam, Guruvum Sishyanum, Vayalar's Ayisha, Changampuzha's Ramanan, Markandeyan, Mohini, Rugmangada, Savithri, Dakshayagom, Ekalavyan, Chilappadikaram, Pigmalin (adaptation of a Greek original), Fisherman's Revenge (adaptation of a Chinese original), Prapidiyan Pathalathil (adaptation of the Japanese Esashiyuvo), Salome (based on the Biblical character of the same name) and many more.
A production of particular note by the late guru is Himavante Makkal (Children of the Himalayas) which was created in 1964 as a response to the Indo-Chinese border conflict of the same year.
The following is an excerpt from his official praise for the play: "I am delighted to witness a performance a dance drama based on National Integration presented by Pratibha Nrithakala Kendra, Trivandrum, and directed by the famous and distinguished dancer Chandrasekharan.
It is a most thought-provoking play and one who attends this function will feel enthused and inspired and would strengthen his spirit of patriotism and love of sacrifice for his country.
"In 1965 Guru Chandrasekharan composed a play which was the first of its kind (in any of the official languages) based on the Mahabharatha character Karna.
His book on Bharathanatyam Natiya Nirishanam is one of the defining works on the subject and was the culmination of research conducted under the Fellowship Award from the government of India.
Chandrasekharan married Mohanavalli Amma who belonged to the Kalappurakkal House, Karumaloor, North Paravur, Kerala, India.
