PUNE: The people of Pune were immersed in devotion to Lord Panduranga through a mesmerizing Bharatanatyam performance that combined subtle facial expressions, intricate hand gestures, rhythmic footwork and classical music accompaniment. FUEL Education organized ‘Mauli – A Timeless Tradition’, a celebration that explores the relationship between devotion, tradition, art and spirituality, at the MES Auditorium, a statement issued by the institute said.The event brought the spirit of the Pandharpur Wari to life through a special performance by internationally renowned Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer and researcher Kalaimamani Bala Devi Chandrashekar.Through her performance, Bala Devi Chandrashekar portrayed the deep bond between Panduranga and his devotees. Along with expressive facial movements and eye gestures, he conveyed the depth of devotion through the distinctive mudras of Bharatanatyam. The presentation offered the audience an experience of the interconnectedness of the universe.The performance featured dance compositions based on the abhangs, ovis and bharuds of Sant Tukaram, Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Namdev and Sant Eknath Maharaj. The repertoire included famous compositions like ‘Udand Pahile Udand Aikale’, ‘Sundar Te Dhyan’, ‘Roop Pahata Lochani’, ‘Khel Mandiyala Valavanti Ghai’, ‘Kashi Jau Mi Vrindavan’ and ‘Murali Vajavito Kanha’. Through the spiritually rich medium of Bharatanatyam, the history, culture and emotional essence of the Pandharpur pilgrimage came vividly to life.Among those present on the occasion were Ketan Deshpande, Founder and Chairman, FUEL Education, Mayuri Deshpande, Managing Director, FUEL Education; Sachin Ambardekar, CEO, Maharashtra Education Society, among others.Speaking on the occasion, Kalaimamani Bala Devi Chandrashekar said, “All artists are inspired and drawn from the society. Therefore, artists have a responsibility to give back to the community. I have traveled from the US to India to support the work being done by FUEL Education for the empowerment of women. I have not accepted any honorarium for this program.Deshpande said the institution remains committed to empowering women from rural and underprivileged communities by equipping them with job skills and enabling them to become financially independent. As part of our social commitment initiatives, we intend to organize such cultural programs every year. Rather than charging an entry fee, we will continue our efforts to secure sponsorship from corporate organizations so that these programs remain open and accessible to all.Bhakti Yoga is not limited to individual spiritual growth; it also inspires people to uplift the lives of others. I am proud of the ‘Mauli’ initiative. We will continue to support programs that empower rural women through education and skill development. The show was moderated by Smita Kulkarni. The audience responded enthusiastically, applauding the performance throughout.