Music and Dance reviews, Navaratri, Kuchipudi, Abhinaya

Navarathri cultural festivals

Navarathri was celebrated in most parts of the state. In the evenings most of the temples conducted cultural programmes with music, dance, harikatha and bhajans. One such temple Sri Aavani Sringeri Shankaracharya Mutt, Mahalakshmipura conducted paarayana, homas in the mornings and music programmes in the evenings, under the direction of Sri Abhinava Vidyashankara Bharathi Swamiji.

S Sriranjani and Sruthi Ranjani, known as "Kanchana Sisters" gave a vocal recital on Friday, accompanied by M V Viswajit on violin, R Adamya on mridanga and T N Ramesh on ghata. They presented mostly compositions on Devi, to suit the occasion and pleased the gathering.

They presented "Sarasijanabha," which was very popular during yesteryears. The "Mamava Meenakshi" was decorated with brief nerval (Shyama Shankari). "Akhilandeswari Rakshamam" rendered in good 'vilamba kaala' is known for its both 'raga bhava' and 'sahitya bhava'. It was followed by another familiar composition "Kanjadalayatakshi." They crowned their concert with another dignified composition "Kamalambam Bhajare' with ragalapana and swara. Without overdoing anything, the sisters sang with their good voices and simple narration.

Kuchipudi festival

The Kuchipudi Parampara Foundation conducted the Guruvandana programme under the leadership of Deepa Narayanan. Senior dancer Guru Balakondala Rao was also felicitated on the occasion.

Brother and sister duo - Sitalakshmi Prasad and Pasumurthy Mruthyunjaya Sharma opened their programme with a Hindola raga composition in praise of Saraswathi. Subramanya Kavi's magnum opus "Adhyatma Ramayana Keerthanalu" is a household story in Telugu-speaking states. These Keertanas are part of the Kuchipudi teaching repertoire in the music and dance colleges. Sitalakshmi Prasad has choreographed this beautiful lyrics from the "Aranya Kaanda". The duo enacted few episodes like 'Seethapaharana' (kidnapping of Seetha by Ravana) including the beautiful movements of Maareecha. Exemplifying the different characters stand out for their eloquent 'Abhinaya', Seethalakshmi Prasad and Pasumurthy Mruthyunjaya Sharma performed with telling effect.

Bright abhinaya

Payal Ramachandani from Delhi started her dance recital with a Marathi poem. In "Rusale Radhe Rusale Madhav" she performed with bright Abhinaya and a variety of footwork attracted in 'Kaliya Nartana'. She concluded with a composition of Purandara Dasa in the raga Suruti.

Students of KPF Ensemble began their recital with "Vani Paraku" customarily followed by a composition of Annamacharya in the raga Hamsadhwani. A composition of Bellary Seshagiri Achar "Chandrashekaram Bhajami" was a surprise but a welcome inclusion.

Curtains came down on this year's Kuchipudi festival with a Ramayana Shabdam in Mohana raga, which was choreographed by Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam. No doubt, these young students performed with ease and assurance and they can reach good heights with some more rigorous training and sincere home work.