Shivalika Badkas, student of Vyshnavie Natya Centre and Gurus Dr. Rajeswari Sainath and Dr. Vyshnavie Sainath, made a notable performance at Ravindra Bharathi on the last Saturday of February this year to mark her Bharatanatyam Arangetram. The 10-year-old Shivalika, Class V student of Kendriya Vidyalaya Picket, Hyderabad brought the house down with her performance. Born to Flt Lt Sonali (Retd.) & Wing Commander Parag Badkas, Shivalika, the young debutant stepped into the art of Bharatanatyam under the tutelage of Guru Smt. K Rasithara at the age of three years. She entered the portals of Vyshnavie Natya Centre at the age of five and began learning under Guru Vyshnavie. For her major solo debut, Shivalika was chiselled by none other than Bharatanatyam exponent Dr. Rajeswari Sainath.
Shivalika began her evening’s performance with traditional compositions of Pushpanjali and Alarippu in Gambeera Naatai Ragam and Tisram Talam. This was followed by Jathiswaram in Abogi Ragam and Adi Talam. She then brought life into the composition of Madurai Sri Muralidharan, a Varnam set in Suddha Dhanyasi Ragam and Adi Talam. Her dancing skills were to the fore in the Swami Dayanand Saraswati composition of Bha Shambo set in Revathi Ragam and Adi Talam. Though young in age, Shivalika exhibited all characteristics of a good dancer.
The young disciple of Gurus Dr. Rajeswari Sainath and Dr. Vyshanavie Sainath picked up a composition of singing Legend, Dr. Balamuralikrishna for the Thillana set in Kunthalavarali Ragam and Adi Talam. She ended her presentation with an Abhang of Bhanudasa set in Bhimplas Ragam and Adi Talam. Shivalika danced to a full house where her family members, including her elder brother Prabhanjan Badkas, school teachers and co-dancers turned up in large numbers to lend their support to her.
The music brindam included on the Nattuvangam – Guru Dr. Rajeswari Sainath, Vocals – Sriram Jonnalgada, Mridangam – Karra Srinivasa Rao, Violin – Chander Rao, Flute – Venkatesh and Tabla – Dr. Srikanth. The dancer’s make-up was by Srinivasa Rao and Surabhi Kishore handled the stage lighting. The chief guests for the evening Vidwan Shri D Seshachary, renowned vocalist, and Vidwan Sanjay Kumar Joshi, renowned Kathak & Vilasini Natyam dance exponent had a word of praise for the young artist.
