The Rangapravesha of Dr. Vasundhara’s gifted disciple Namratha Jois commenced with Vedagosha and lamp lighting by Vid. R.S. Nandakumar followed by Dr. M. Sushila Urs, Prof. K. Ramamurthy Rao, Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy and Mr. and Mrs. Jois.

The programme began with Melaprapthi, set to Raga nata and rupaka thala. The lightning entry to the stage by Namratha Jois made the audience feel that it will be a great evening ahead.

In Melaprapthi, Dr. Vasundhara’s natuvanga and Jattis’ music by Vidu. Deepthi Srinath’s soulful singing, Vid. H.L. Shivashankar Swamy’s perfect mridanga, flute by Vid. Jayaram Kikkeri and rythmpad by Vid. Ananth Krishna added grace to the Rangapravesha of Namratha in Vasundhara Bani.

Next, a very popular composition RaRa Rajeeva Lochana composed by Mysore Vasudevacharya in Raga Mohana set to Adi tala, was an Abhinaya-   dominated kriti.

In this, Namratha Jois was able to praise Sri Rama and showcase how easily Sri Rama broke the Shivadhanush,  followed by Sita Kalyana. Namratha  depicted how Sri Rama was able to garland Sita Devi easily. When Lakshmana sees that Sita Devi was struggling to garland Sri Rama, he comes to the rescue of Sita and touches the feet of Sri Rama. When Sri Rama bows to bless him, Sita Devi easily garlands him. Here, the artiste showcases her devotion towards Sri Rama and Sita Devi, a piece worth watching.

The main item of the evening was Pada Varna in praise of Devi, Sridevi, Vagdevi composition of Vidushi Dwaraki Krishna Swamy set to Raga Hamsanandi and Tala Adi. The artiste’s abhinaya in praise of Durga Devi, Lakshmi Devi and Saraswathi Devi in their perfect postures was worth watching. She covered the stage with her agile and graceful movements and with utmost reverence and bhakti, bows to the Devis seeking blessings.

The next item was a Devaranama Kadagola, Tharenna, Chinnave composed by Saint Purandaradasa in Raga Yamana Kalyani and Tala Adi. Here, the relationship is between the mother and child (Yashoda and Little Krishna) who is fond of fresh butter prepared by Yashoda but He seeks Kadagola instead of butter. However, Mother Yashoda yields to little Krishna’s desires and hugs him.

The next episode was Demon Kalinga Mardhana (destroying the poisonous snake Demon Kalinga). Little Krishna was in a playful mood along with his team-mates and while playing, the ball fell into the pond — the resting place for Demon Kalinga Sarpa. In spite of request from his mates, he jumps into the pond. In turn, he encounters Kalinga in a fierce combat.  Little Krishna kills Kalinga, the demon snake and brings peace and solace to Gokul Vasi.

Prior to concluding Thillana, Namratha Jois showed her artistic metle in Nrithyanjali Chaturashra Alaripu with Lingarashtakam and Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar’s Kriti Sri Ranganatha Pahimam and Marathi Abhang.

The concluding Thillana in Raga Behag Adi tala, composed by Vid. R.S. Nandakumar, was a very rare  item ever presented in Mysuru. The Thillana was full of nrittha followed by sublime abhinaya by the artiste. The final episode was  the destruction of Demon king Tarakasura by little Sri Subramanya (Son of Lord Shiva).

The overall performance by the gifted Bharatanatyam artiste Namratha Jois left an impact on the dance Rasikas.

The credit to the Rangapravesha goes to Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy, Vidu. Deepthi Srinath, Vid. H.L. Shivashankar Swamy, Vid. Jairam Kikkeri, Vid. Ananth Krishna, and, of course the gifted disciple of Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy — Namratha Jois.

Last but not the least, compliments should go to the anchor Vid. M.S. Kaustuba, the husband of Namratha Jois.

—Gemini