An evocative performance
INNOVATIVE Praveen Kumar's seasoned artistry was overwhelming
It was a happy augury for the golden future of the time-tested classicism and tradition of Bharatanatya when the rasikas enjoyed the opportunity of witnessing young dancers performing with lot of sincerity and enthusiasm at the ADA Rangamandira during the three-day Rasa Sanje annual dance festival put up by Sri Venkatesha Natya Mandira under the leadership of veteran Guru Radha Sridhar.
The most invaluable famous stories of Panchatantra were retold in a group performance directed and performed by Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayanth of Hyderabad. Exploiting the intricacies of Kuchipudi, the stories involving birds and animals were delineated in the most impressive manner. The discipline, dignity and decorum of Kuchipudi natya were kept intact. A rich and evocative music support was the added attraction. The group choreography was fetching. The young dancers their director Dr. Ananda proud.
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Guru Radha Sridhar's fully ripened expertise, seasoned by excellence was the key word of a dance-drama titled, Geetha Govinda. The students of Sri Venkatesha Natya Mandira, Ishwarya Nithyananda, Manasa Prakash, Deepa Srinath, among others, highlighted not only the beauty of the theme but also the beautiful choreography by Guru Radha Sridhar. The essence of Jayadeva's ashtapadis could be captured in the classical Bharatanatya medium.
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Slender and blessed with fluidity of limb movements Meenakshi Srinivasan exhibited a quiet artistry in her exposition of the popular Kharaharapriya varna ("Moha maaye nee inda vela") by K. Dandayudhapani Pillai. The pangs of separation of a virahothkhantitha nayaki were effectively conveyed through her brilliant abhinaya padded with proportionate nritta and nrithya. She reached the lofty peaks of her acting abilities in the rendition of a Puranadaradasa krithi "Kande naa kanasinali".
The charis, sthanakas, the precision and perfection of seasoned dancer-Guru-nattuvangist-choreographer R. Praveenkumar reminded me of his Guru Prof. C. V. ChandrasekharI was overwhelmed by his well-honed and seasoned artistry. Besides the imprint of his Guru, Praveen's expositions had ingenuity and sincerity of purpose.
Competently supported by Prasanna Kumar (nattuvanga), Srivatsa (vocal), Mahesh (flute) and Srihari (mridanga), Praveen's talents glowed forth in the presentation of Murugan Kauthuvam followed by Shiva stuti (Bharathi's "Ta taiy enraaduva"). Pattabhi-rama Panditar's Javali (Nattakuranji) was notable for Praveen's mellowed abhinaya.
He distinguished himself as a profound actor in evoking the vatsalya rasa by airing Dasa's "Maneyolagaado Govinda" (Abhogi).
M. SURYA PRASAD
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