These beautiful flowers of thought and hope bloomed with a special scent at the Kala Ashram College of Performing Arts, Udaipur this week. The occasion was celebration of ‘Basant Panchmi’ and these inspiring words from Director and Guru Dr. Saroj Sharma peeled a new wave of hope for everyone.

She told why it is important for us to welcome a new season and say goodbye to all that was hibernating in the winter so far. She reminded why colours, action and new life are so important for progress – whether you are in a normal year or a post-pandemic year.

Her sagacious and hope-brimmed words were reflected in the exuberance of songs, performances and musings that the students shared on the stage. There was a special necklace of ‘Todas’ and ‘Tihais’ on a very complex ‘Taal’ called ‘Dhamaar’. The rigour, depth and spell-binding effect that was shown in this performance made everyone sit up at the beautiful tapestry that only Indian classical dances are capable of.

As Guru Dr. Sharma kept reminding, it is important turn a fresh leaf every now and then. We should love Spring – for its colours, for its buoyancy, for its resolve to continue life, and for Goddess Saraswati – who is still the invisible force that runs the world. Art, poetry and music are not peripherals – they are the spring of life. Let them bloom. Let the fragrance spread as far as it can.