Traditional repertoire
GUDIPOODI SRIHARI
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`Mahishasura Mardhini' was staged by Mumbai's Radha and Mohan as part of World Dance Day celebrations here.
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CELEBRATING DANCE `Mahishasura Mardhini'
World Dance Day was celebrated at Thyagaraya Gana Sabha by Kathak Kala Kshetra, last week that was marked by two big events - one to offer a memorable reception given to septuagenarian dance guru Nataraja Ramakrishna, who completed his Golden Jubilee of his dance, and then the second was the featuring of a talented dancer couple Radha and Mohan of Mumbai in an impressive ballet Mahishasura Mardhini.
Nataraja Ramakrishna is particularly known for his writing of many books on the ancient and available dance forms in Andhra Pradesh along with their history.
He also revived some ancient dance art forms of Andhra like Perini Sivathanadavam of Kakatiya dynasty, Orugallu (Warangal), the echo of which you can still find in the sculpture of renowned Ramappa temple, a historical heritage near Warangal.
He renamed some of the dances of coastal belt that he revived, as Andhra Natyam. They are all abhinaya based. He even ran an Abinaya School for that purpose. He also brought to fore, a forgotten folk dance art Chindu Bhagavatham, available in Nizamabad and Karimnagar district areas.
Many personalities from the field of dance like Uma Rama Rao and Saralakumari spoke high of Nataraja Ramakrishna's contribution to the art of Andhra Natya and Abhinaya culture. Uma Rama Rao has taken it as her mission to translate some of Ramakrishna's works into English.
Nataraja Ramakrishna felicitated.
The ballet staged by Radha and Mohan is based on Devi Bhagavatam. The Mahishasura Mardhini is part of traditional repertoire of Kuchipudi artistes. Radha, during her stay at Eluru, learnt Kuchipudi art from Korada Narasimha Rao. Later she taught the art to her husband Mohan who is in Air India. They are presently based in Mumbai and are giving performances abroad too.
In this ballet Mohan played the role of Mahishasura, while the role of Rakta Beeja another important demon in the story was played by their son, 19-year- old Chaitanya Mohan.
He revealed excellent sense for histrionics. Radha choreographed it packing the cast with another 20 students in different roles. It is popular story of how Adi Sakti has to confront Mahishasura and his brother Rakta Beeja both blessed with powers by Brahma, who grants invincibility from all, except women. For Mahisha a woman is a non-entity. Hence the goddess first finishes off Rakta Beeja and then as Maha Kali she kills Mahishasura arming herself with weapons given to her by different gods.
The choreography looks refreshing with some modern touch. The song Sri Chakra Sancharini was well dramatised.
Mohan impressed in the role of Mahishasura while the role of Goddess who assumes the avatar of Maha Kali finally, became the major attraction.
The role was impressively presented by Radha. Music support was pre-recorded.
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