Sri Nataraja Performing Arts Centre, Mysuru, hosted a three-day dance festival ‘Manjira Mahotsava – 2023’ from Mar. 10 to 12. The event was held at Ganabharathi Ramagovinda Kalavedike, Kuvempunagar, Mysuru.

The festival was inaugurated by chief guest Dr. M.D. Sudarshan, Assistant Director, Kannada and Culture Department. Dr. Guru Kripa Phadke, Director of Nrityagiri, Vidushi M.B. Nagashree, Trustee and Founder, Sri Nataraja Performing Arts Centre, were present. Centre President M.K. Balaraju presided. The celebration began with a splendid performance of Vidwan Vijay S. Kumar, Chennai. The artiste began the performance with a Pushpanjali in aarabhiraagam composed by Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna. The evening became special with the magnificent presentation of Lathangivarnam composed by Dr. Madhurai R. Muralidharan. The artiste then presented a light yet a pleasant piece; Kannada jawali ‘Matadabaaradeno’ in kamaasraagam composed by Bengaluru Nagarathnamma. The staging ended with an emotion-filled Padam by Sri Gopalakrishna Bharati in maanchraagam.The evening’s delightful mood was carried on by the performance of Vidushi M. Ananya from Bengaluru. The artiste began her performance with a Ganesha Shloka followed by an Alaripu set to Khanda and Mishrachaputaalam. A vibrant padavarnam filled with richness was presented in ragamalika composed by Dr. Madhurai R. Muralidharan. The artiste enacted the scenes of Draupadi Vastrapaharana and Vamanaavatara in the Sanchari part of this exquisite piece. Tamil shringarapadam ‘Kandanaalmudhalai’ composed by S. Chidambaram set to madhuvantiraagam was performed and later ended with the divine presentation of a Meera Bhajan ‘Pagghungroo’ in Vishwakaapiraagam.

The 2nd day began as a delightful evening with a splendid performance of Vidushi Mahati Kannan, disciple of Padma Bhushan Padma Subramanyam, Chennai. The artiste began her performance with a Pushpanjali followed by a divine Chamundeshwari stotram. Later Sri Purandaradasa’s composition ‘Hidakobidabyaada Ranganapaada’ was presented in a Varnam style, in kalyaniraagam. The piece comprised of graceful karanas and complex jathis that were well-structured and presented. The atmosphere was filled with a devotional feeling by the presentation of a classical piece in bhairaviraagam composed on Lord Rama. The performance ended with a vachana by Akkamahadevi devoted to the deity of Srisailam, Sri Chennamallikarjuna. The day’s vibe was enhanced by the next performance by Vidushi Vidyashree Radhakrishna and team, Mangaluru. They started off with a Ganesha Pancharatna stotram composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya in ragamalike. The next piece, a Devi stuti, was presented with brilliance and created a divine atmosphere among the audience. The devotional mood was carried by a Shiva krithi, Saamagaanalolane in hindolaraagam. Sri Purandaradasa’s ‘Aadidanoranga’ that describes Kalingamardhana Krishna in ragamalike. A thillanam in deshraagam was presented in grace and excellent coordination. The troupe ended the day’s presentation with Vandemataram, offering salutations to Lord Bharatambe. The 2nd day of the event imprinted a picture of beauty and charm in the audience.

On the last day, the environment was blissful and joyous with performance of Guru Dr. Kripa Phadke, the accomplished artiste of classicism; She was accompanied by Vidushi Vasudha Balakrishna on Vocals, Vidushi Pooja Sugam on Natuvanga, Vidwan A.P. Krishna Prasad on flute and Vidwan J.S. Nagaraj on mridanga. The performance began with the presentation of a Pushpanjali and Devarnama-Nammamma Sharade in hamsadhwaniraagam. A rich and beautiful Padavarnam in raagamshankarabharanam, composed by K.N. Dandayudhapani Pillai. The recital came to an end with the presentation of a devaranama of Sri Purandaradasaru, Kadagolatarennachinnave in yamankalyaniraagam was presented. The display of story Krishna-Sudhama in the Sanchari part of the piece took the audience on a realistic tour to Dwaraka. The grace and bliss of the event was not confined to this performance but was elegantly carried forward by Vidushi Nikhitha Manjunath, disciple of Karnataka Kalashree Vidwan Satyanarayana Raju, Bengaluru. The artiste started her recital with the vibrant Shivapanchaksharastotram composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, in raagamalika choreographed by her Guru Vidwan Satyanarayana Raju. An exquisite presentation of Padavarnam Nee indamaayam choreographed by Guru Narmada, displaying the antics of Lord Krishna was a treat to the eyes of the audience. The evening ended with a divine presentation of Saint Tulsidas’ composition Bhajaman Ramacharan Sukhadayi in sindhubhairaviraagam. The artiste displayed the story of Guha who helped Lord Sri Rama cross river Ganga during the exile, choreographed by Guru Vidwan Satyanarayana Raju. A supporting pillar for the success of the event was Dr. Bhuvaneshwari who compèred throughout the event. Manjira Mahotsava 2023, the three-day dance festival was a visual treat to all the rasikas. Splendid performances of artistes who are epitome of creativity and art marked the success of the festival.

—Krishne