Tales of the divine

The scintillating ballet ‘Kalyana Karthikeyam’ was the highlight of the Visakha Music and Dance Academy’s fest.

Engrossing narration A scene from ‘Kalyana Karthikeyam’.

Visakha Music and Dance Academy’s three-day year-end dance fest evoked warm response at Kalabharati Visakhapatnam. The high point of the event was the presentation of Kuchipudi dance ballet ‘Kalyana Karthikeyam’ on the inaugural day. Choreographed by principal Kuchipudi Kala Kshetram of maestro Vempati China Satyam, the ballet was a scintillating exposition of Kuchipudi idiom in its aesthetic richness and visual charm. The inherent dramatic disposition of Kuchipudi in perfect sync with a mythological tale replete with dramatic element turned it a captivating combination that riveted the viewers to seats.

Staged by about 20 artistes of the Kala Kshetram, the theme for the ballet was the tale of Karthikeya, the son of Lord Siva, who decimated the demon king Tarakasura. The demon king wants to be immortal and towards this end he performs an intense penance. Finally, secure in the knowledge that Lord Siva turned ascetic after the tragic demise of Sati and thinking that the Lord would never marry again, he chooses a boon from Brahma that no one except a son of Lord Siva, may kill him. Fortified with this boon, he unleashes a reign of terror. But Lord Siva wins the hand of Parvathi and leads a conjugal life. When he leaves Parvati in an intimate moment in response to prayers of the fairies, his seed falls on the ground and is carried by Agni through Ganga, to reach sara-vana -the field of reeds- where a child takes birth (Saravanabhava). That child is nursed by six krithikas thus Saravana Bhava becomes Karthikeya, the commander-in chief of the army of the fairies and kills Taraksura. Relating the victory of Karthikeya to Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu sheds joyous tears that lead to birth of Devasena and Srivalli who become the consorts of Karthikeya.

The very opening scene of

Tarakasura prevesa daruvu took the viewers by storm. It was a reflection of the choreographical acumen of guru Hari Rammurthy who portrayed the demonic Tarakasura.

Imbued with the finer shades of expression mirroring the mood of the moment in the narrative, his portrayal was classy on several counts of excellence. The way he choreographed the ballet suggests that he has a penchant for prevesa daruvus and each of key characters’ prevesa daruvu stood distinctly exceptional in its own right. With each character firmly establishing itself in its very entry, the rest was a treat to witness. Particularly Sai Krishna Sannidha who donned the eponymous Karthikeya rendered an exceptional exposition of the character. Both in expression and footwork, the way she vied with her mentor was reflective of the sound instruction she was imparted at Kalakshetram.

Artistes of Bharateeya Kala Sadan and Kalabharati school of music and dance performed on the second day. On the third day Hyderabad-based Kathak Kalakshetra presented select pieces of classical dances well.