Two Friends Reunite To Support Heritage Building

By Norhidayyu Zainal

KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Bernama) -- After more than two decades pursuing separate paths, two childhood friends have reunited on stage in a classical Indian Bharatanatyam dance performance to help preserve an 87-year-old heritage building belonging to their community.

The charity performance featured P. Gowri and Sathia, who rekindled cherished memories through ‘Sashvatham – An Eternal Legacy: The Journey of Two Friends’ at the Shantanand Auditorium, Temple of Fine Arts (TFA), last Wednesday.

Now both aged 49, the pair were dance partners from a young age at the Ceylon Tamils' Kalavirthy Sangam (CTKS). They first met in 1984 while attending dance classes under the guidance of renowned instructors Sivadass and Vatsala.

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The performance was held not only as a tribute to their teachers and mothers, but also to raise funds for the preservation of CTKS's heritage building on Jalan Imbi, located opposite the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX).

Gowri, a civil servant, said the idea of performing together again emerged in October last year after their mothers, who are also close friends, expressed a wish to see them share the stage once more.

"We started learning to dance together at the age of seven before going our separate ways in our early twenties due to career commitments. Our friendship has never faded, even after Sathia stopped dancing to focus on her career. We remained in touch and continued supporting each other.

"When Sathia suggested that we stage a performance together, I proposed turning it into a fundraising event to help CTKS, as it was there that we first discovered the world of dance," she told Bernama recently.

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The approximately two-hour performance featured five Bharatanatyam pieces under the guidance of choreographer and teacher Dr Guruvayur Usha Dorai, founder and principal of Laasya Arts Academy, accompanied by live traditional Indian music.

Gowri said the performance also carried a message that friendship can endure despite life's challenges, while encouraging people to continue pursuing their dreams.

"Our friendship proves that with mutual support, anything is possible. It also sends a message that passions set aside because of work commitments can still be realised if there is determination and support," she said, with Sathia concurring.

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Gowri, who hails from Kuala Lumpur, admitted that age and the challenge of balancing work commitments with rehearsals were among the main obstacles during preparations, which began in November last year. However, their long-standing rapport helped them quickly regain their chemistry on stage.

Meanwhile, CTKS president Datuk K. Thanarajah said funds raised through the performance would be used to upgrade the association's building, which was established in 1939.

"We are targeting RM40,000 through ticket sales priced at RM50, RM80 and RM100, with nearly 80 per cent of the tickets already sold," he said, adding that CTKS currently has about 140 members.

He said the 87-year-old building continues to serve as a centre for arts and cultural activities, including dance, music and Tamil language classes.

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"We require more than RM500,000 to upgrade and refurbish the premises, including its facilities, toilets and air-conditioning system. So far, only about 30 per cent of the required funds have been raised, and various activities will continue to be organised to cover the remaining costs," he said.

Thanarajah expressed hope that more young people would become involved in preserving the community's cultural heritage.

"Support from the public, private sector and government is crucial to ensure that the building remains a hub for arts and cultural activities for future generations," he said.

-- BERNAMA