Mysuru: Kumar Performing Arts Centre, Mysuru, had organised the “55th International Nirantara Kalemane Festival” on Apr. 10, at its Kalemane Sabhaangana. As part of this celebration, the third annual “Sri Ramanavami Utsava” was held under the guidance of Karnataka Kalashree Dr. K. Kumar.

B.S. Sridhar Raje Urs, President of Krishna Gana Sabha, Mysuru and Bharathi Raje Urs, were the chief guests.

Social worker Dr. K. Raghuram Vajpayee, Musicologist Vid. V. Nanjundaswamy, Prof. H.S. Umadevi, Dr. V. Ranganath,  Nandini Mysuru Ranganath and others were present.

Cultural Performances

Vidu. Bhanupriya Rakesh from Bengaluru presented a dance performance accompanied by a musical ensemble. Beginning with a poetic invocation to Lord Ganesha, she presented a Padavarna on Rajagopala composed by Sri Sivanandam (of Tanjavur Brothers) in raga Thodi, combining intricate jathis with deep emotional expression, which captivated the audience.

Her performance of “Indu Enage Govinda” in Bhairavi raga and Mishra Chapu tala, composed by Raghavendra Yathi, was rendered with refined expressions and rhythm, establishing her as a mature artiste.

She was accompanied by internationally acclaimed artistes on mridanga, flute, vocal and nattuvangam.

Guru Vidushi Sheela Chandrashekar’s disciples from Bengaluru performed two exceptional dance pieces originally choreographed by Guru Bhanumathi around 1992.

The first was on Lord Shiva  “Chandrachooda Shankara” in raga malika and Adi tala, composed by Purandaradasa, with selected storytelling sequences beautifully presented.

The second was “Ra Ra Rajeeva Lochana,” a Mohana raga composition in Adi tala by Mysore Vasudevacharya, which was artistically depicted through suitable stories that resonated with the audience and invoked the blessings of Lord Rama and Shiva.

Guru Vidushi Aparna Vinod Menon’s disciples from Bengaluru performed two dance numbers: “Mahadeva Shiva Shambo” in Revati raga. A Subrahmanya Stuti in raga malika and Adi tala.

These were presented with impressive stories and rhythmic patterns, strengthening the divine connection between Lord Shiva and his son Subrahmanya.

Kalaarpana Dance Team from Mysuru, led by Vidwan Pavan and his four talented fellow dancers, showcased Melaprapti and a Padavarna in raga Reetigowla. Their performance featured challenging jathis and appropriate expressive interpretations, giving the audience a taste of the Bhagavata tradition while invoking the grace of Lord Rama. These diverse and vibrant dance presentations, centred around Lord Rama, Krishna, Shiva and Subrahmanya, were rich with mythological stories and captivating expressions. The talented dancers immersed the audience in the essence of the epics and puranas.