Mangalore: Hungarian Dr Alexandra Szoke enchants city with Bharatanatyam

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Jun 23: It was an evening of enchanting display of beauty blended with grace and breathtaking talent, as Dr Alexandra Szoke from Hungary performed Bharatanatyam for first time in the city on Saturday June 22.

The programme was organized by Sanatana Natyalaya dance academy at its auditorium in Ballal Bagh here.

Dr Szoke, with just one year of training in Bharatanatyam, captured the audience attention with her stunning performance. The members in the audience appreciated the fact that an Indian classical dance had been mastered by a Hungarian and executed with such elan.

Dr Szoke and her husband Ian Cook have made the city their second home ever since they came here 18 months ago on research work. She was impressed with Bharatanatyam and learnt the art form under the tutelage of Sharadamani Shekar.

As a mark of respect and gratitude, Dr Szoke honoured her tutor Sharadamani Shekar on the occasion, and also Muralidhar Rao who was tutor of Sharadamani. Dr Szoke and her husband too were felicitated.

Dr Chinnappa Gowda, Mangalore University registrar spoke on the occasion and lauded Dr Szoke for showing immense interest in the art and mastering it in such a short period of time. He further said that she was an inspiration to youngsters in India.

Dr Szoke in her address thanked all those who helped her achieve her goal, especially her tutor Sharadmani Shekar, Sanatana Natyalaya for giving her an opportunity to learn the dance and perform, and Radhika Shetty, founder of Nrityaangan Charitable Trust and performing artiste in India and the USA who helped her along the way.

Srilatha Nagaraj compered the programme. Dr Szoke's husband Ian Cook was present.

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