A Kuchipudi dance treat
P.SURYA RAO
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A look at the recently concluded Sidhendra Yogi Mahotsavam in Kuchipudi.
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ODE TO DANCE It was an enthralling performance by artistes at Siddhendra Yogi Mahotsav.
The small sleepy town of Kuchipudi in Krishna district, the seat of Kuchipudi dance, hosted a unique dance festival, the Sidhendra Yogi Mahotsavam 2006. The week-long dance treat was inaugurated by Kuchipudi Maestro Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam.. The venue was aesthetically designed stage with the flood-lit tower of Ramaligeswara Swamy and Balatripurasundari temple as backdrop.
The setting of the stage reminded one of the beautiful amphitheatre at Konark.
The dance programmes began with the famous Bhamakalapam with maestro Vedantham Satyanarayana Sarma playing the role of Bhama. Sarma excelled in the role of arrogant Satyabhama and Jagannadh played the role of Madhavi with fine involvement. Age did not deter the artistic greatness of Satyanarayana Sarma.
The evening's last programme was Ardhanareeswaram, a dance drama of Kuchipudi Art Academy with Vempati Ravishanker, the talented son of Chinna Satyam in the main role of Lord Siva In the second day's session, the Melattur Yaksha Ganam `Prahlada' was slickly presented by Vedantam Venkatachalapathy and his troupe. The Kathak dance of Saswathi Sen, Bharatha Natyam by Leela Samson and Odissi by Madhavi Mudgal were of high order as expected, all the three being dancers of international reputation.
Sunday morning was marked by a fine presentation of the dance drama Keechaka Vadha presented by Pasumarthi Venkateswara Sarma and his troupe, followed by a lecture demonstration of Sangeeta Rao. Some of his famous tunes from the ballets Srinivasa Kalyanam, Rukmini Kalyanam, Haravilaslam and Arshanareeswaram were excellently rendered by D.S.V.Sastri and Vanaja. The presentation of Golla Kalapam, the age-old Kuchipudi episode presented by Vedantham Radheshyam was another attraction. Two major ballets staged were Vempati's 10-year-old Haravilasam and the newer Nava Durga choreographed by his son Vempati Ravishanker. Haravilasam is the story of Daksha Yagnam.
All the characters were brilliantly played by experienced artistes.Though there was not much of a story in the dance drama, the mark of the veteran was clear through slickness in presentation. Vempati's latest creation Nava Durga staged on the penaltimate day deserved special mention. It can be said that this new dance drama is one of Kuchipudi Art Academy's best mythological productions standing on par with Srinivasa Kalyanam and Rukmini Kalyanam. The perfect synchronisation of foot steps, the costumes and the lilting music were of high order. The scene stealer however, was well known movie actress and reputed dancer Prabha who played the role of Durga. The entire dance drama was the creative effort of Vempati Ravishanker who also rendered the nattuvangam with great command. D.S.V.Sastri and Vanaja's melodious singing was an asset to the ballet. Prabha in the role of Durga showed her mettle through her fine abhinayam and great involvement in the role. The story of the dance drama is the episode where Goddess Durga destroys the arrogant Mahishasura. All the morning sessions started with the training classes by Guru Vempati on the nuances of Kuchipudi dance form. All the programmes were neatly and efficiently organised by Venkat Vempati and Pasumarthi Kesava Prasad.
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