Suswara Academy of Performing Arts, run by artistes Hari Mangalampalli and his wife Swarna, organised a huge dance show at Shilparamam’s open air theatre, last week. There were vocal and instrumental sessions too besides dance, by the artistes from all over south.
Veena artiste Y G Srilatha
The sessions opened with veena recital by YG Srilatha accompanied by Nikshit on mridangam. She presented Natakuranji varnam, Bagayanayya in Chandrajyothi of Thyagaraja, Pakkala Nilabadi in Kharaharapriya of Thyagaraja. Though brief she displayed good measure of virtuosity.
Aruna Bhargavi
This was followed by Bharatanatyam by Aruna Bhargavi of Bengaluru. She began her recital with ‘Pushpanjali’ and a composition on Vinayaka composed by Balamuralikrishna in Raga Aarabhi, Adi talam.
Then she presented Thodaya mangalam in praise of Lord Rama Jaya Janaki Ramana in Ragamalika and Talamalika. This gave space for display of Dasavataras of Mahavishnu, Srirama being the one.
Then she came out with a Tamil varnam in Poorvikalyani, Adi talam, composed by S K Kameshwaran.
Darshan Abhivadhye
Another artiste from Bengaluru Darshan Abhivadhye also presented a Bharatanatyam
She presented traditional numbers like Pushpanjali, composed by Rajkumar Bharathi, in Nata ragam, followed by ‘Devi Sthuti’. The names depicted in dance reflected diverse avatars of the Devi. These constitute Lalitha Sahasranamam. She then presented abhinaya to the verses from Rajarajeshwari Satakam, set in ragamalika.
She then presented Devarnama of saint Purandara Dasa, a simple yet colourful composition in Kanada raga. It spoke about the saint dreaming of Lord Krishna adorned with all the precious gems and imagines he was covered with yellow silk robes, with pearls and gem stones. He sees him wearing Vyjayanti and Tulasi garlands, his feet with tinkling anklets dancing on the serpent Kalinga. This was one of the impressive presentations.
Alekhya Prabha
Kuchipudi dancer Alekhya Prabha
Later Kuchipudi exponent Alekhya Prabha took stage and gave a befitting show matching the occasion. She launched with a slokam on Lord Siva in the company of his consort Parvathi. The piece was a description of the graceful presence of Siva and Parvathi, and more a nritta oriented one with complex jatis. It is a slokam from Jayapasena’s Nritta Ratnavali choreographed by guru Yashoda Thakore.
‘Mandodari Sabdam’ was said to have been performed in royal court of Krishnadevaraya. The story is about Ravana who falls in love with Mandodari, a beautiful woman in a frog form due to a curse. C R Chary penned this composition.This was tuned in Mohan Raga.
All the artistes who took part in various events were felicitated by the organisation.
