Surabhi Gana Kalamandira has started a wave by giving its audience a rich experience of music, dance, literature and philosophy overwhelming the rasikas with loads to take home! Navanavanmesha Shalini Nadaroopini was an exquisite roopaka that was beautifully designed and curated for the audience by the team of Surabhi Gana Kalamandira under the guidance of their Guru Vidu. Dr. Sukanya Prabhakar.

The event was held recently at the Jaganmohana Palace Auditorium. Not to mention, the historical structure was a perfect choice as it added to the cultural vibrance of the grand event. Months of planning, research and passion that was invested in this project didn’t go waste as it enthralled the audience of all age groups with diverse set of interests.

Sangeeta rasikas were treated with splendid but very rare kritis like Muthuswamy Dixitar’s akhilandeshwaryai, C. Rangaiah’s  Amba Rakshathu and many more by a team of six students of Surabhi namely Vidu. Meera Manjunath, Vidu. Dr. M.G. Veena, Vidu. Sumana Vedanth, Medha, Swathi and  Nithyashree.

The significance and history of each kriti was beautifully narrated to the audience by Lalitha and Vijaymala. The audience not only got to hear rare stories of the nine devis namely Amba, Annapoorna, Durga, Gowri, Bala, Bhuvaneshwari, Gayathri, Akhilandeshwari and Rajarajeshwari but they also got to see them ! — with all the beautiful little girls of Surabhi dressed as Devis. A lot of attention was given to minute details of their costumes, be it their weapons or features which made it look very authentic.

The new concept introduced in this extravagant project was a shadow play depicting various stories pertaining to the Devis. A team of dancers led by Vidu. Aparna and Vidu. Ashwini performed the shadow play. Various mythical scenes like Bhandasura Vadha and Incineration of Manmatha were beautifully recreated on the screen in the form of shadows. It was mesmerising to see all the navarasas come to life with the help of just sound and light.

There was also a display of a plethora of pictures of the Devis coordinating with the sahitya of each and every krithi.

An ensemble of music, dance in the form of shadow play, narration and visual depiction of the theme was a remarkable concept brought out by Surabhi. It was an enjoyable learning experience for the audience. Kudos to Team Surabhi!