Graceful dance

Music and dance reviews

Graceful dance

Shubha K and Ishwarya Tholapadi gave a Bharathanatya recital at the Yavanika, for the EFCEP.

Shubha is a software engineer and Ishwarya is an engineering student and both are students of Dristi and have successfully completed the Rangapravesha under the direction of Anuradha Vikrant.

Opening with a Pushpanjali customarily, they continued with a composition on Vinayaka. The Thirupougal in the raga Shanmukhapriya was just passable and they moved to the main piece of the day. “Swamiyai Alai Tedi Va” in ragamalika provided ample scope for the dancers to exhibit their talent. It had a natural grace and both of them negotiated the rhythms neatly and danced with ease and assurance. For Abhinaya, while Shubha chose a pada (Chudare), Ishwarya’s choice was a Hindi bhajan (Chaliye). The thillana in Rathipathipriya was lively and concluded with the “Indina Dinave Shubhadinavu”.

Both Shubha and Ishwarya are endowed with good stage presence and can bring more depth to their performance with some more higher training and stage experience.

Guru Anuradha Vikrant herself wielded the cymbals competently conducting the Natuvanga, while Vasudha Balakrishna gave vocal support and Srihari and Narasimha Murthy were incharge of Mridanga and Flute, respectively.

Spectacular show

The “Art of Living” International Centre conducted a rare music programme last week. To mark the 35 years of The Art of Living, an event called Naadotsava was held with 1,700 Veena players from 5 different states (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka). Veena maestros and students, from 10 years to 80 years, performed a dozen compositions of different composers in attractive ragas.

Familiar varna “Ninnukori” gave the ensemble a bright start. They saluted to the invocatory God through “Mahaganapathim” of Dikshitar. It was followed by “Bantu reethi” in that joyful raga Hamsanaada and ‘Brochevaraevarura’. “Endaro Mahanubhavalu” is the most popular keerthana among all the Pancharatna keerthanas. In this beautiful kruthi Saint Tyagaraja says – “I salute every one of the myriads of Savants in all humility. I salute those noble men who treasure in their lotus hearts the beautiful form of Lord, rivalling the splendour of the moon and who, by constant ‘Darshana’ of that form enjoy supreme Bliss.”

The Himagiri Tanaya, Samaja Varagamana, Dhanasri thillana, a devaranama (Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma) and concluded with a devotional of Swamijee. Infact H H Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji also joined the team and played on Veena. A number of percussion instruments accompanied to bring a good musical effect. Indeed it was a spectacular show and a unique experience.

Educative session

The Karnataka Nrithyakala Parishath organised the “Bharathamuni Aradhanotsava” last week.

The “Bharatha Bhaavana” by young dancers – Dr Deeksha Shastry and Dr Nayana Somayaji gave a colourful beginning to the programme. Pushpanjali with syllable from Natya Sastra and “Karna Prasthara” – gave the right tone and evoked the right atmosphere for the event. “Shivastaka” by Arun Srinivasan was also pleasing.

A noteworthy feature of the programme was a colloquium on “Dance, Drama, Music and Natyasastra – an insight with relevance to the modern times.” Scholars Gopalakrishna Nayari and Subbaraya Bhat (Theatre), Uma Kumar (Music) presented their views.

Dr Karuna Vijayendra spoke on the application of Kaishiki Vruthi with useful slide shows (photo). Dr Vasanth Kiran demonstrated in Kuchipudi style Satyabhama and Hiranya Kashipu episodes, impactfully to stress his points. Prof Choodamani Nandagopal, senior Historian, also took part in the discussion as a guest and Pulikeshi Kasturi acted as the co-ordinator.

Happy to note that it was not just “another programme”, but a informative and educative session.