Rukminee Holass-Beepath to receive Sangeet Acharya award

Pioneer in the East Indian creative and performing arts, culture and music in Trinidad and Tobago, Rukminee Holass-Beepath, will be presented with the Sangeet Acharya award on June 25.

The presentation will be made by the Kathak Kala Sangam under the artistic direction of Dr Sat Balkaransingh and the patronage of the mayor of Chaguanas, Faaiq Mohammed.

The event takes place at the auditorium of the Chaguanas Regional Corporation at 6pm.

An acharya refers to an authority in a particular field of endeavour who leads, morally and ethically, by example. The title is bestowed for long and distinguished service in various categories of artistic endeavours to suitably and appropriately-qualified nominees, a media release said.

Born in Cedros, Holass-Beepath has devoted her life to promoting empowerment through education, culture and spirituality, and the development and sustainability of the Indian art forms. Her efforts have been acknowledged both at home and internationally and she continues to preserve the traditions of her ancestors by linking the past to present-day cultural dispositions.

The values of humility, sacrifice and commitment to family taught to her by her parents, plus the arts of music, song, instruments and dance became her pathway out of poverty. Today she is a wife, mother, educator, music composer, author, singer and a mentor to many young people who wish to learn the various folk art forms such as pottery painting, sari draping and floral floor décor (Rangoli art), the release said.

She has researched and written five books of Indian music; Ganga Darshanam (Songs of water ceremonies), weddings, birthdays and poems. Her latest compilation is a collection and documentation of local Indian classical songs in TT.

Other artistes scheduled to perform at the event include violinist Shivanand Maharaj, flautist Narendra Maharaj, vocalist Dinesh Maharaj and Boodram Holass. The programme will also feature performances by kathak dancer Balkaransingh and members of the Kala Sangam.

For more info: visit kathakkalasangam.com