Mysore/Mysuru: The ‘Kaartika’ edition of ‘Champaka Rashtreeya Kalaa Utsava’ (monthly programme) was held on Dec. 2 at Champaka Sabhangana, Champaka Academy premises in Ramakrishnanagar, showcasing Bharatanatyam performances by accomplished artistes from Bengaluru and Mysuru.

The evening began with a Bharatanatyam feature ‘Ramam Bhaje’ by Vidushi Dr. Nagalakshmi Nagarajan, Founder of Champaka Academy, Mysuru. This feature showcased popular compositions on Lord Rama by great composers like Dayananda Saraswati, C. Rangayya, Annammacharya, Tyagaraja, Purandara Dasa including ‘Brova bharama’, ‘Devadevam Bhaje’ and many more.

The compositions were elaborated to show the greatness of Lord Rama through his noble life stories. Vidushi Chethana Nagaraj (vocal), Vidwan K.S. Ganesh (flute) and Vidwan Vikram Bharadwaj (mridanga) mesmerised the audience as part of the musical ensemble.

Guru Dr. Padmini Shreedhar, Artistic-Director of Nritya Gaana Academy for Performing Arts, Bengaluru, along with her disciples Vidushi Aparna Prakash and Vidushi Monica G. Shekhar presented ‘Bharata Mela-Kolara Sampradaya,’ a rare feature in which they presented a ‘Churnike’ in raaga Hamsadwani, after which a Ganesha stuti ‘Thaya’  and finally a ‘Suladi’ composition by Sri Purandara Dasa in raaga maalika and taala maalika, all of which were composed by Guru C. Radhakrishna and also improvised based on the research work done by Dr. Padmini.

Disciples of Vidushi Prathima Murthy, Director of Nritya Deeksha School of Classical Dance, Mysuru, preformed Bharatanatyam for compositions like ‘Odi Barayya Vaikunta Pati Ninna’, ‘Ashtalakshmi Stotram’  and concluded the programme with ‘Bagilanu Teredu Seveyanu Kodu Hariye’, a beautiful composition of Sri Kanakadasa.

Mahesh Jambardi, COO of Excelsoft Technologies, Mysuru and Suma Mahesh, Senior Volunteer at SVYM, were the chief guests on the occasion.

During his remarks, Mahesh Jambardi opined that dance is an art form that connects and teaches our cultural and religious heritage and not just about what we see on the stage.

The programme was also blessed with the presence of Prof. Pradhan Gurudatta and senior dance gurus Dr. Tulasi Ramachandra and Vidwan Prof. K. Ramamurthy Rao. Members of public attended and  enjoyed the event.