Gudi Sambaralu begins with a seminar in Warangal

Dance performances presented at Thousand Pillar temple

Kuchipudi dancer Deepika Reddy presenting a performance as part of Gudi Sambaralu at Thousand Pillar temple in Warangal on Wednesday.

Gudi Sambaralu at the historic Thousand Pillar temple was inaugurated here on Wednesday.

As part of the celebrations, a two-day national seminar on Sastra-Prayoga on Nritta Ratnavali got under way at Haritha Kakatiya hotel in Hanamkonda. Organised by Kalakosa Division of Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi, and Kakatiya Heritage Trust, Warangal, the seminar was inaugurated by District Collector Prashant J. Patil.

He said such programmes remind people of Warangal’s rich heritage and its art and culture.

Advaithavadini, HoD of Kalakosha division, IGNCA, said the seminar is organised to create awareness on the ancient art forms and the importance of preserving them.

“The reason for organising Sastra-Prayoga seminar-cum-performances is to bring together different performers. It will help youngsters know Warangal better where Nritta Ratnavali by Jayapa Senani, the commander-in-chief of elephant army in Kakatiya dynasty, evolved. This is a great opportunity for all the local artists, who have kept dance forms like Perini Shiva Tandavam and Andhra Nrityam alive, to showcase their talent,” she said.

John Guy, senior curator, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, through his PowerPoint presentation, explained the Devadasi tradition with reference to temple architecture in Chidambaram. He said

natya sastra and

theshilpa sastra shared a strong connection since 4th century AD until the Vijayanagara era.

R. Nagaswamy, former director of archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu, explained how the sculptures of danseuses in temples helped in the evolution of the natya sastra .

In the evening, several dance performances were presented at the temple.