JOIN USThe Samooha, Udupi, is an ensemble of theatre artistes, which is known for presenting Kannada literary works through dance dramas under the direction of Prof Udyavara Madhava Acharya.
Madhava Acharya though a economics professor by profession, is a veteran writer, poet, actor and also a reputed choreographer. Some of his productions are first of their kind and are valuable experiments in the Kannada theatre. He has performed in many parts of India and America. Acharya is also a recipient of Rajyothsava Award and Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award.
Bhramari Shivaprakash, daughter of Prof Udyavara Madhava Acharya, learnt Bharatanatya under Kodavuru Madhava Rao and Dr Vasundhara Doreswamy. She is a post-graduate in Information Technology and has passed Vidwat in Bharatanatya. She has performed in a number of dance dramas and solo dance recitals both in India and the US. She has choreographed many Kannada classic works.
There were few common things in both the dance dramas, presented on Sunday. Brainchild of Prof Udyavara Madhava Acharya, ‘Urvashi’ and ‘Nenapadalu Shakunthale’ are directed by him and choreographed by Bhramari Shivaprakash. In ‘Urvashi,’ she not only gave the solo performance but also has composed music - without using a single instrument - and has sung with ‘Vaachana’ too. Bhramari’s Abhinaya was pleasing and suited the needs of the occasion.
Dr Bannanje Govindacharya has translated Kalidasa's ‘Abhignana Shakunthala’ into Kannada. Based on that Prof Udyavara Madhavacharya has composed - “Nenapadalu Shakunthale.” Apart from choreography, Bhramari also performed as Shakunthala.
While the Nritta was executed with effortless elan,1 her Abhinaya was admirable.
Beautiful, attractive lyrics and melodious music by Madhur Balasubramaniam was the other attraction of the dance drama. Students of Naadanrithya also performed with ease and confidence.