The 32nd Edition of Parangathotsava-2018, organised by Vasundhara Performing Arts Centre (VPAC), Mysuru, is scheduled to be inaugurated by Usha Char, Musicologist and Art Patron, USA, on Dec.21 at 5.30  pm at Vasudevacharya Bhavana, JLB Road, Mysuru. During the inauguration, Vid. Anoor Anantha Krishna Sharma will be felicitated along with Usha Char for their yeomen service to art and Indian culture followed by ‘Talavadya’ programme by Vid.  Anoor Anantha Krishna Sharma and party. The events will be presided over by K.V. Murthy, President of VPAC.

Vidwan Anoor Anantha Krishna Sharma: Popularly known as Shivu, Vidwan Anoor Anantha Krishna Sharma initiated his learning of Mridanga under Vidwan R.A. Rajagopal, who was a Mridanga/ Ghata artiste and a senior staff of All India Radio (AIR), Bengaluru. As an artiste, Anantha Krishna Sharma started performing professionally at the age of fifteen. He has accompanied many artistes such as Dr. R.K. Srikantan, Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna, M.L. Vasantha Kumari, Lalgudi Jayaraman and many more.

Anantha Krishna Sharma has travelled across the globe as an accompanying artiste and for conducting workshops. He has composed some interesting “Thillanas,” Sanskrit Verses on Hindu Gods, Rhythmic patterns using classical and folk percussion instruments for special ensemble named Laya Lavanya.

On Dec.22, Pandit Indudhar Nirodi will be the chief guest who will felicitate Pandit Parameshwara Hegde followed by his Hindustani Classical Music.

Pt. Parameshwara Hegde: Pt. Parameshwara Hegde was drawn into music at a very young age. He started learning Hindustani music under the guidance of S.M. Bhat and Pt. Chandrashekar Puranika Math; his interest in music grew into a passion. It was in 1976 that Parameshwar Hegde went to Dharwad to seek advanced training under Pt. Basavaraj Rajguru.

An ‘A’ grade artiste of AIR, Parameshwara Hegde has been featured in several national broadcasts. He has appeared on television also and is much sought after as a concert artiste.

Pt. Parameshwara Hegde sings the most beautiful elements of Rajguru’s music, which is the confluence of three gharanas — Kirana, Gwalior and Patiala. A dynamic fusion of swara and ‘laya’ which is the hallmark of the Gwalior Gharana informs the music of Hegde. Listening to his music is most definitely an exhilarating and a powerful musical experience. Hegde is also adept in rendering bhajans, padas and Vachanas soulfully.

On Dec.23, Ashish Mohan Khokar will be the chief guest. Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy will present a thematic choreography ‘AMMA,’ this special one woman act would depict three great mothers of this world, whom the survivor of three worlds Lord Krishna considered and called them ‘AMMA’ at the moment of taking his last breath. Yes we can guess that his mothers were Devaki and Yashodha, But there was one more person, a woman, a soul who fed milk to Krishna and attained moksha. Putana! Yes indeed Putana belongs to those great mothers list. Internationally acclaimed Danseuse Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy will present it in Vasundhara Bani, specially choreographed for Parangathotsava-2018.

Dr. Vasundhara: A Danseuse par excellence, versatile choreographer of repute and a venerated guru of Bharatanatyam, her performances are a manifestation of the profound terpsichorean ingenuity marked by impromptu improvisations, esoteric foot-work and bewitching histrionic propensities.

Her myriad choreographies encompassing a wide spectrum of spiritual and secular themes are striking paradigm of her inventive brilliance.

‘A top’ grade artiste of Doordarshan and ICCR Empanelled artiste, Vasundhara has been extensively preforming and conducting workshops/ lecture demonstrations for past five decades. She has turned into a phenomenon through her performances both in India and abroad.

She has been travelling to the US for the past 20 years to perform and teach. Only Indian artiste to perform at the prestigious UNESCO World Peace Conference.

On Dec.24, former MLA and VVET Chairman Vasu will be the chief guest and he will felicitate Kalaimamani Uma Murli for her yeomen service to the field of Kuchipudi followed by her programme.

Kalaimamani Uma Murali: A dancer of unprecedented and graceful intensity of the Bharatanatyam and Kuchupudi schools of dance, Kalaimamani Uma Murali is popularly known as “Poetry in movement.” She began her training as a child of five under Padma Shri K.N. Dhandayudhapillai and pursued her passion with Padma Shri Adyar K. Lakshman. Subsequently, she devoted herself to Kuchipudi. Padma Bhushan Vempati Chinna Sathyam was her Guru. She has received innumerable titles and accolades for her scintillating style and grace.

Uma has enthralled audiences with her artistry in many cultural centre’s both in India and abroad. She is an ‘A Grade’ artiste in Doordarshan and is an empanelled artiste with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. She is the recipient of Kalaimamani from the Government of Tamil Nadu.

The entry to Classical Dance and Music festival is by invitation and free for art-lovers.

—Devanampriya

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