By Dr. Jamunarani V. Mirle

On Jan. 7, a magnificent Bharatanatyam performance was presented at the ‘Kalemane Sabhaangana’ established by the renowned scholar Dr. K. Kumar and his family in Mysuru (Kumar Performing Arts Centre).

Artistes and art enthusiasts from various parts of India (Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru) and abroad (New Jersey, Los Angeles, California, Pennsylvania) attended the event.

The performance featured eminent Bharatanatyam artistes Vidushi Ramya Ram Narayan (from New Jersey, USA)   and Vidushi Viji Prakash (from Los Angeles, USA), along with their disciples from India and abroad.

A noteworthy performance was by Vidushi Ramya Ram Narayan alongside her senior disciples, creating an hour of Bharatanatyam beyond classical boundaries, showcasing a programme filled with exquisite dance and expressive gestures. The programme was a huge success, captivating the audience and surpassing the traditional boundaries of Bharatanatyam with various renowned compositions, leaving the art enthusiasts deeply enthralled.

The hour-long programme conducted by disciples of the renowned dance guru, Vidushi Viji Prakash, was filled with several famous compositions and carried on seamlessly, captivating the audience’s attention throughout. The entire programme, with its blend of various famous compositions, left the art enthusiasts immensely satisfied and impressed.

Each artiste presented mesmerising dance sequences such as Huseni Swara Jathi, Khamach Brouchewarvara, Parashakti Janani, and other intricate dance compositions, along with captivating performances, gripping the audience with their compelling expressions and immersive acting.

Initially, a jugalbandi of Karnatak and Hindustani vocal music by Vidushi Vinay Kartik Rao (from Bengaluru) and Vidushi Vaishnavi Vishnu Bhatla (from Hyderabad) was presented. Accompanied by brilliant musicians — Vidwan Kumar on mridanga, Vidwan Ramesh Dhanur on tabla and Vidwan Shantakumar on violin — this performance received thunderous applause from the appreciative audience.

Subsequently, Dr. K. Kumar and his disciples curated a 16-minute showcase of three breathtaking dance performances, leaving the audience spellbound. His daughters, K.M. Lekha and K.M. Nidhi and senior and junior disciples carried forward the legacy of marvellous choreography, mesmerising the spectators with their expressions and emotions.

The programme also hosted eminent music and dance gurus from Mysuru, Mandya, Nanjangud and other places, enriching the event with their presence and adding grandeur  to the occasion.

A grand feast was arranged to honour all the guests after the event, thanks to the selfless contributions and efforts of Dr K. Kumar, a prominent artiste in Mysuru and his wife, Dr. Malathy, a paediatrician. Their consistent efforts in promoting and supporting art are truly commendable and we hope for their continuous support in nurturing and encouraging artistes.