Mysuru: ‘Champaka Rashtreeya Kalaa Utsava,’ the flagship event of Champaka Educational and Cultural Trust, Mysuru, celebrated the ‘Vaishaakha’ edition in this series on Vaishakha Bahula Panchami on May 17 at Champaka Sabhangana in Ramakrishnanagar, showcasing Bharatanatyam performances by accomplished artistes.

The evening started with a performance by Dr. Nagalakshmi Nagarajan, Founder of Champaka Academy, as a tribute to Srimad Adi Shankaracharya, performing his famous compositions. Bhaja Govindam (Moha Mudgara) and Prabhum Prananatham (Shivashtakam) were chosen and performed as a tribute to the divinity that guided Adi Shankara in his quest to propagate Sanatana Dharma across Bharata Rashtra.

Performances by disciples of Guru Vidwan Sandesh Bhargav, Managing Trustee of Kalasandesha Pratishtana, a well-known institution of Mysuru, followed to enthrall the audience. Accomplished Vidushis Sindhu Niranjan, Anusha Varun, Shilpa Kantharaju, Dr. Gunasheela, Harshini Prajwal, Akshatha Pramod, Shruthi and Lavanya performed with intense energy to the appreciation of the audience. They performed Melaprapthi tailored with Ramayana and then a beautiful varṇa on Shiva and the Jyothirlinga, showcasing rare stories of Shiva avataras.

Vidushi Milan of Sharada Nāṭya Kuteera, Bengaluru, along with her disciples, performed Pushpanjali, Bho Shambho, Thumaka Chalata bhajan and other numbers. Her young disciples showed their rigour in practice with their neat and appealing presentation. Karuna Venkatraman, President of CFTRI Layout Residents Welfare Association, Mysuru, inaugurated the event as the guest and spoke about the importance of organising such cultural events.  All the participants were given a certificate of appreciation.