CHENNAI, August 19: Prof. C.V. Chandrasekhar was sent to Kalakshetra at the age of 10 by his father Sri V.A.V. Iyer to study music and thus began a journey that still continues. He had his training in music and dance at this great institution and was also exposed to great stalwarts during his formative years. Alongside, he studied at the Besant Theosophical School and later pursued his B.Sc. in Botany.

He also completed his M.Sc. from the Banaras Hindu University, but it was his passion for dance that urged him to choose it as a way of life. He worked and taught Bharatanatyam in Banaras (at Vasant Kanya Mahavidyalaya and BHU) for over two decades. He later joined the University of Baroda as head of the Department of Dance.

He has created many memorable works in his artistic journey. The major ones are:

Ritu Samharam, Bhoomija (the Ramayana as a reactionary play without any male characters), Meghadootam of Kalidasa, Aarohanam (a production based on the theory of evolution linked to mythology), Panchamahabhootam (the five primordial elements), Aparajita (based on the Devi Mahatmyam), Kreeda and Kumbhesar Kuravanji.

He has been the recipient of many awards viz. The Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the State awards from the Governments of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, The Nrityachoodamani from Krishna Gana Sabha, NadaBrahmam from Narada Gana Sabha and the Sangita Kala Acharya from the Madras Music Academy, to name a few. He has now been awarded the prestigious 'Kaalidas Samman' by the Madhya Pradesh Government, which is one of the most prestigious awards for a performing artist in the country.

As my father is away in the United States, I was the first one to receive the news about the Kaalidas Samman being bestowed on appa. I was elated and proud and thanked God for recognizing the service done by him to which I have been a witness. I could not contact him that night due to time difference but spoke to my sister. We congratulated each other and next day spoke to appa.