The week-long Vasundharotsava-2022, the 38th edition was inaugurated by Karnataka State Dr. Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nagesh V. Bettakote on Nov. 4 evening at Sri Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha on JLB Road in city accompanied by                                   Sugama Sangeetha exponent H.R. Leelavathi and Rotary Mysore North President Rtn. S.H. Jagadeesh.

The inaugural dance programme in ‘Vasundhara Bani’ by Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy, commenced with ‘Melaprapti’ followed by a varana ‘Sundaresha Krishna Muralidhara’ set to Raga Keervani and Tala Adi, the Varana showcased depicting Dasavathara, the varana was full of Nrita Sancharies and sublime Abhinaya. The 2-hour slot concluded with Thillana set to Raga Vasanti, Tala Adi, a composition of Vidu. Dr. Nagamani Srinath kept the Rasikas spell-bound.

On Nov. 5, the young and upcoming danseuse Vidu. M.S. Vidhyalakshmi, disciple of Vid. P. Praveen Kumar, presented Bharatanatyam. Her performance was abhinaya dominated.

The next programme was by the students of KSGH Music and Performing Arts University, Mysuru. It was a group choreography depicting items from Margam which commenced with allaripu followed by Shabdam, Pada Varana and concluded with impressive Thillana.

On Nov. 6, Nguyen Manh Tung from Vietnam, presented Bharatanatyam in ‘Vasundhara Bani.’ He is a young and promising artiste of repute. While rendering Varana ‘Swaminan Udan Adimai,’ Raga Natakuruvanji set to Adi Tala, he chose to depict complicated Karnas in praise  of Lord Nataraja with utmost ease, his foot work synchronised with the Jattis of his Guru Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy,                his overall performance was receptive and well-planned.

Vidu. Rajashree Holla, a veteran Kuchipudi exponent and an established Guru, presented group choreography in pure Kuchipudi idiom. The concluding Tarangam in which the artistes thrilled the audience with dancing on brass plates which was a treat to watch.

On Nov. 7, Karnatak music by Vid. K.N. Shashikiran and Vid. P. Ganesh proved to be outstanding musicians of their time. They have performed together more than 4,000 concerts, they are not only performers but also much sought after Gurus.

Vidu. Shreya P. Vathsa is a senior disciple of Guru. Nirupama Rajendra and T.D. Rajendra. She commenced her Kathak by offering prayer to Lord Shiva followed by ‘Tatkar’ in ‘Teental’ and she also showcased ‘Chakradar Paran’ with Thoda and Thukuda her concluding composition ‘Mere to Giridhar Gopal Dusro Na Koi’ was charged with pure Abhinaya. She proved to be a moving poetry on the stage.

Vid. Deepak Mazumdar, a senior guru and exponent of Bharatanatyam chose to present popular composition of Maharaja Swathithirunal ‘Bhavayami  Raghuramam.’ In this he narrated the story of entire Ramayana with Sancharies and Abhinaya. Smt. P. Ramas vocal  to Bhavayami added grace and beauty to the presentation of Deepak.

The Nair Sisters — Vidu. Veena Nair and Vidu. Dhanya Nair — are young and promising Mohiniyattam dancers. They have chosen a Varana composed by Padma Vibhusan Dr. Padma Subramanyam, narrating several episodes with rare presentation and made inroads into the hearts of Dance Rasikas.

Vidu. Yamini Muthanna, a senior performer pursuing Bharatanatyam and Yoga chose to begin her programme with jignasa offering Guru Vandana continued with her obeisance to nature and concluded in praise of Mother Earth. Her dance was dominated with rare and complicated yoga postures. She kept the audience spell-bound and astonished.

The concluding day ‘Chiguru Sanje’ by tiny-tots thrilled the houseful audience. The 2-hour dance extravaganza by children was a rare experience to spectators.

—Gemini