Cultural confluence
INSPIRING Visualising the abstract Gita was challenging
Mysore-based Sri Sachidananda Ashram has developed into a centre of cultural activities and renowned artistes of music and dance have been invited to participate in various cultural festivals in the recent years. Bhagavatulu Sethuram and group from Andhra Pradesh presented the Bhagavadgita in Kuchipudi style at the Nadamantapa in the ashram premises, to mark the weeklong cultural festival of music and dance. Visualising the abstract theme of the Gita was a challenging task. The shlokas were set to melodious tunes, particularly the Gitopadesha episode.
Beginning from the dhyana shloka of the Gita, "Parthaya Prathi Boditaam", the essence of all the chapters enshrined in the Gita from Arjuna Vishada Yoga to Sankya Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Gnana Yoga, were well conceived for the ballet. The highpoint of the ballet was the manner in which it sought to explain the shlokas.
The music provided by Kakinada Karna Rao and Sharada Reddy was melodious. It had effective nattuvangam by Bhagavatulu Sethu Ram and intricate gaits in charis, backed by flute (Venkatesh), and mridanga (Nageswara Rao) added elegance to the feature. The colourful traditional Kuchipudi costumes and vivid narration were the hallmarks of the ballet.
Disappointing
The veena concert by Geetha Krishamurthy, at the newly built ISKCON temple hall under the aegis of Sri Lalithakala Academy Foundation, disappointed the lovers of music. Beginning from raga Nata, the other upanga janya ragas such as Amruthavarshini and Devamrithavarshini were insipid. The raga-tana-pallavi in Shankarabarana followed by ragamalika svarakalapana failed to inspire the audience. Vidwan Tirupathi Sudhakaran gave good support on the mridanga.
B.S.S. RAO
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