A Classical Dance Extravaganza

Sri Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha, Mysuru, during their monthly endowment series, had organised Bharatanatyam by three senior disciples of Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy at Vasudevacharya Bhavana, JLB Road, last month. The trio, Vidu. Sowmya Govind Naidu from Qatar, Dr Lakshmi Rekha and Vidu. Maithreyee from Bengaluru, presented Bharatanatyam in Vasundhara Bani.

They commenced with Melaprapthi set to ragamalika, taala roopaka, Rntered the stage with lightening speed depicting Shudha Nritta followed by Nritayanjali in Madhurashtaka Chaturash Raga Malika, taala aadi continued with Andaal Koutuvam Sriranjani raga, taala aadi. While presenting Keerthana of Sri Vasudevacharya set to Mohana raga taala aadi “Raa raa rajeeva Lochana Rama,” Dr. Lakshmi Rekha as Rama, Vid. Maithreyee as Sita, neatly showcased the Sitakalyana depicting with Saatvika Abhinaya.

The center-piece of the evening Padavarna of legendary Subbudu in Valachi raga taala aadi, “Anname.” This Varna was performed by Vidu. Sowmya, here Lord Muruga goes behind Valli, the daughter of a Tribal Chief making his concert Devayani to suffer with Viraha. Devayani calls her Sakhi (friend) and says ‘Come my dear, I will tell you a secret.’ She says “Valli must have used witchcraft or she must have mixed something in the milk and made him stay with her, let him come back I will teach him a lesson.” Here Sowmya proved her metal while performing Nrita akin to perfect Jatis by her guru Dr. Vasundhara. Her Abhinaya, Sanchari and Nritya were of highest order and maintained her Angashuddhi. She kept the audience mesmerised.

During the second half of the programme, the popular kriti of Saint Vyaasa raaya “Krishna nee begane baaro,” mishra chaapu Tala, Raga yaman kalyani was beautifully presented by Vidu. Sowmya. In this, she perfectly depicted Lord Krishna eating clay and unfolding the universe by opening his mouth to his mother Yashoda. The entire episode was full of Sanchaaris and Vatsalya bhaava.

The classical dance extravaganza by trio enthralled the connoisseur of dance.

The concluding tillana by the trio in Sumanesha Ranjani set to aadi taala was filled with sculpture poses, in between using Yoga Asanas kept the audience spell-bound. The concluding mangalam is rare choreography in Revathi offering gratitude to mother Earth, Sky, Wind, Water, Sun, Moon, Vegetation Guru and the audience. The accompanying artistes who artistically is to be complemented are Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy with rare choreography and  natuvanga assisted by Vidu. Deepthi Adhishesh, soulful singing by Vid. Nandakumar Unnikrishnan from Kerala, Vid.Hanumantha Raju on perfect mridanga and pleasing flute by Rakesh Sudhir added beauty and grace to the performance.

—Gemini

This post was published on January 5, 2018 6:44 pm