School of Theatre Arts founded by R. Nagaraj Patnaik, in association with the cultural bodies of Bhashyam Educational Institutes, organised Sambaram, a dance festival on Kalavedika (a huge raised platform open on three sides) at Tenneti Park on the beach road last Sunday evening. The programme was delayed by two hours and the stage was none too comfortable. But thanks to people flocking to the beach after a scorching day, there was no dearth of audience. Artistes of Mumbai Kathak Foundation presenting Kathak dances, Bala Natya Kendra Kala Brindam from Shimoga presenting Bharatanatyam and folk items, Jayanthacharya and his team of disciples presenting Odissi and Sambalpuri, artiste of national stature like Anvesha Mahantha presenting Sotriya, local danseuse Saijyothi presenting Kuchipudi, Manimala and Sridevi from Srikakulam performing folk numbers elicited good response.
Then the Kalajeeva puraskars of the school were presented to noted Kathak exponent Rajendra Chaturvedi from Mumbai and popular Kathak danseuse Nishi Sing (Mumbai), Sotriya exponent Anvesha Mahantha (New Delhi), Odissi exponents Tagarigain and Deepthimayi Sahu (Bhubaneswar), noted singer A. Sunanda Sastry from Visakhapatnam in absentia, besides noted painter Dr. Vempati Ramanrisimham, a physician.
Visakha mayor Pulusu Janardhana Rao, VUDA vice chairman B. Sridhar, deputy commissioner of income tax Jeevanlal Lavadia, director of higher education H.Y. Dora and chairman, Bhashyam Educational Institutes, Sankara Rao, who were guests of honour felicitated the recipients of the award later.
