The annual Nishagandhi Festival is back at Kannakakunnu, Thiruvananthapuram. A festival that has a slot dedicated to cultural performances, ‘Nishagandhi Festival 2010' promises to bring a host of masters of dance and music to woo audiences this time around too.
The festival began with a Kathak performance on January 20 by Nirupama and Rajendra along with members of their troupe Abhinava. The following day saw a Bharatanatyam performance by Alarmel Valli and a Mohiniyattam performance by Pallavi Krishnan.
A Carnatic percussion ensemble by Aridwaramangalam A.K. Palanivel and troupe is the highlight for today ( January 22 ) at 6.45 p.m. This is followed by a jugalbandhi by Ustad Dilshad Ali Khan and Begum Parveen Sultana at 7.45 p.m. on January 23 .
Vilasini Natyam by Yashoda Thakore (6.45 p.m.) and Odissi by Sutra Dance Theatre, Malaysia (7.45 p.m.) are the highlights on January 24 .
There is a Mohiniyattsm recital by Sunanda Nair and a Manipuri performance by Liyanda Folk and Classical Academy on January 25 . The timings are 6.45 p.m. and 7.45 p.m. respectively.
The final day ( January 26 ) has a fusion of Carnatic, Hindustani and Western music by Rajhesh Vaidya, Bickram Ghosh and Purbayan Chatterjee at 6.45 p.m.