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Of rhyme, rhythm and role play

Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

Dance Drama A scene from the Kuchipudi dance drama.

The second part of the festival of Music Dance and Drama of Visakha Music and Dance Academy organised recently in Visakhapatnam was marked with Ramayanam – a Kuchipudi ballet, choreographed, directed and produced by Bhagavath ula Venkata Rama Sarma of Vijayawada; Carnatic vocal duet by Raagam sisters Sivaranjani and Nalini Kanthi V. of Chennai and Paandavodyogamu, a play in poetic diction, script by Tirupathi Venkata Kavulu, directed by Naidu Gopi for Sri P oornasri Kalaa Samithi, Tenali.

Well scripted by N.Ch. Jagannadhacharyulu and set to scintillating music by Pemmaraju Surya Rao, the ballet presented episodes starting from Viswamitra Yagasamrakshanam to Sri Rama Pattabhishekam. Lapses in make-u p and scene changes coupled with the rather too fast a tempo notwithstanding, it was an engaging effort. Nattuvangam by Bhagavathula himself in the company of vocals by K. Suryanarayana and Sudharani accompanied on mridangam by M. Vijayakumar, violin by P. Anjaneyulu and flute by Kumar on one hand and empathetic portrayals by Soumya (Rama), Madhuri (Sita), Varshitha (Lakshmana), P. S. Sarma, Hanumantha Rao, Srivalli, Tajuddin, Jayanthi, John, Mani, Mahathi, Alakananda, Anusha, Priya and Sravani appearing in more than two roles each contributed grandeur.

Gifted with free flowing melody and intensity over a range of two and half octaves, Raagam sisters rendered an enjoyable recital despite none too a happy support on violin by K.S. Chandran and on mridangam in particular by Bhashyam in the company of Ravichandran on ghatam next evening. They held a high promise for achieving professional standards in a very near future. Elaboration of Sugunamule (Chakravaakam) and Raama Neeyeda (Kharaharapriya) were the highlights .

The presentation of the play Paandavodyogamu with Nandi award winner A. Venkateswara Rao as Krishna, K. Subba Rao (Duryodhana), K. Ganesh Kumar (Arjuna), A. Gopala Rao (Dharmaja), K.G. Narasimhamurty Naidu (Bheema), K.V.N. Achari (K arna), V.L.N. Rao (Drutharashtra), A.S. Rao (Bheeshma), A. Venkateswarlu (Drona), S. Raja Rao and A. Chandra Rao in other roles; sans any undue extension of aalapana after rendering the padyam was marked with neat pe rformances by all and achievement of good team work at the same time.

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