Mysore/Mysuru: The Rangapravesha of S.P. Soundarya, a gifted disciple of Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy, was held on Apr. 7 at Jaganmohan Palace auditorium in city.

Dr. Dharanidevi Malagatti, Director, Kannada and Culture Department, inaugurated the event by lightning the lamp followed by offering puja to Lord Nataraja, the presiding deity of Dance for the success of Soundarya’s Rangapravesha. Dr. Dharanidevi was accompanied by Dr. U.G. Shenoy, Dr. Kripa Phadke, Savitha Ramesh and Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy.

Soundarya commenced her ‘Vasundhara Bani’ Bharatanatyam with Melaprapti, followed by Shiva Stuti and Guru Vandana. She continued with Adishankaracharya’s Ganesha stotra followed by Subramanyakautuam Raga Shankarabharana Khanda chaputala before entering to complicated peace of ‘Varna’ in Bharatanatyam repertory. She presented Ramayanashabadam in Ragamalika set to Mishra chaputala, where she depicted Sita Swayambavar, Maricha Vada with excellent Abhinaya.

Her varna was a treat to dance rasikas, full of perfect nritta and sublime Abhinaya. The script ‘Ghana Shama Sundarana Karathare Sakhi’ is set to Ragamalik, Tala Adi. In this, she neatly showcased emotion and longing for her lover Sri Krishna. Her narration of Navarasa — nine moods in Varna was faultless and impressive. She maintained Angashuddhi sancharis and her nritta was also noteworthy followed by striking Jattis by her Guru Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy.

The second half commenced with Durga Devi composition by Vid. Muthiah Bagavathar set to Nava Rasa, Khanda, Tala Adi; here her forte is pure abhinaya, she continued the abhinaya dominated items Jagadodharana Adisidalu Yashode and concluded her evening with Tillana of Dr. Nagamani Srinath presenting perfect footwork and Abhinaya. The concluding episode in tillana ‘Kanakana Kindi’ was a masterpiece. On the whole, her performance kept the audience spell-bound.

She was accompanied by Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy on natuvanga, Vidu. Deepti Srinath on vocal, Vid. Janardhan on mridanga, Vid. Nitesh Ammannaya on flute and Vid. Vinay Rangodhal on rhythm pad. —Gemini