Bhushans’ Academy of Performing Arts and Visual Presentation, headed by Badari Divya Bhushan and Dr. Anjana Bhushan, hosts seven major dance festivals every year in Mysuru. Among them, ‘Poshaka Bhushana’ is an International Dance Festival hosting upcoming and seasoned artistes from the overseas. This year, for Poshaka Bhushana, the Academy hosted two segments of the Festival on two weekends, Dec. 22 and 30, 2023.

The first segment was presented by the students of Dr. Sreedhara Akkihebbalu, USA. Sophia Salingaros, a senior disciple of Guru Dr. Sreedhara, presented a scintillating margam, choreographed by her Guru. Her crisp nritta and elegant abhinaya were well-received by the kala rasikas. Guru Dr. Sreedhara’s four other disciples — Anasuya Poonia, Anuradha Ramachandra, Sreelakshmi Nagaraj and Divya Warrier — presented a thematic ballet on Bhartruhari’s Shataka Traya elucidating on the flimsical nature of  Human relations.

The second segment of Poshaka Bhushana had several dancers from Mysuru choreograph and perform to the divine compositions of Mysore Sadashiva Rao, compiled and recording done by  Dr. Sreedhara.

Sindhu Kiran, Dr. Chethana Radhakrishna and team, Dr. Anjana Bhushan, Srilakshmi & team and Dr. Nagalakshmi & team presented beautiful pieces of the legendary composer.

The Academy also hosted Ramya Harishankar & team from California, USA, who presented a conceptual presentation ‘SHE,’ an ode to the divine Goddess. Guru Ramya Harishankar excellently brought out the nuances of Abhinaya in a javali while her students presented a perfectly synchronised nritta choreographic pieces in the production ‘SHE.’

The next performance was by the Kasturi Brothers — Prasanna Kasturi from USA and Pulikeshi Kasturi from Bengaluru. Their thematic production, ‘Beral ge Koral’ based on Rashtrakavi Kuvempu’s drama enthralled the art-lovers of Mysuru and won the hearts of the rasikas. Prasanna Kasturi’s depiction of Ekalavya was outstanding leaving an indelible mark in the art connoisseurs. Pulikeshi Kasturi also flawlessly essayed several roles which brought out the real essence of the production.