Mysuru: The ‘Pushya’ edition of Champaka Rashtreeya Kalaa Utsava was held at the Champaka Academy premises in Ramakrishnanagar recently.

The evening started with Bharatanatyam performance by Vidu. Jyothi N. Hegde, Founder and Director of Lasyaranjana Nrutya Shale, Mysuru, along with her disciples. She performed a beautiful dance composition on Rāma, “Ramanentha Cheluva” and her disciples skilfully danced to compositions on Śrī Krishna. The eye-catching attire and expression of the dancers were captivating.

Disciples of Karnataka Kalatilaka Guru Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy performed starting with Thodayam, Natesha Kautvam and then a beautiful composition Vishnu Sthuti in Shanmukhapriya Rāga. The dancers portrayed the Narasimha and Vamana Avataras with ease and finesse much to the delight of the audience in a Devaranama and concluded with a Rāma Mangalam.

B.K. Achutha, Chairman, Infopine Consultancy Private Ltd. and Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy were the guests for the occasion.

B.K. Achutha distributed the certificate of appreciation to all the performers and spoke about the dedication needed in learning Bharatanatyam and the advantages it had in realising goals in spiritual and social areas for dancers.

He spoke about the contributions of Abhinava Guptacharya, the Kashmiri Shaivaite thinker towards dance who emphasised on these basics.

Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy appreciated the efforts of Dr. Nagalakshmi Nagarajan and Nagarajan in organising the Kaala Utsava every month and providing an opportunity for different artistes to showcase their talents and expressed her immense pleasure as a Guru that some of her students including Nagalakshmi were on this path of providing opportunity for other talented artistes.

Trustees Nagarajan Srinivasan and K.A. Deepamani were present. Members of the public attended and enjoyed the event.