~G V Anna Rao
The Dassera Dance Festival at Ramalayam, Jubilee Hills started off with an Odissi performance by the Nirmalya Academy group on 2nd October. The participating dancers were Debashree Patnaik, Arpita Pany, Sonali Mohanty, Soumya Dash and Narmada Adala. Aharya was in red with contrasting cream borders. The first piece “Dhyaye Subarna” was in praise of Goddess Durga. Her beauty and attributes are elegantly described. The slow melting stances of Odissi were perfect for the item highlighting the golden radiance of Devi. Her third Eye looks into the future and she has a charming smile. Shankha or Conch and Chakra or Discus are held in her hands. She is the embodiment of Feminine energy. The slayer of the evil Demon Mahishasura represents the five essential Elements of the Universe-Water, Fire, Air, Earth and Sky.
A part of the lilting Hamsadhwani pallavi came next. This intricate form of pure dance started with delicate movements, progressed to more complex and energetic sequences showcasing the dancer’s technical control. Foot work and expressions captivated in this specific raaga. The term pallavi is derived from the Sanskrit word pallava which means-to blossom. Mokshya customarily concludes an Odissi recital. Indian philosophy expounds that all Human activities should tend to salvation. The pure dance of ecstasy that brings the dancer to this goal of liberation is a fast paced rhythmic and known as “Mokshya Nata”. The Lotus Feet of Lord Jagannath are symbolically offered this piece as a tribute.
Impeccable Nritta: A Bharatanatyam recital by Aishwarya Valli Kakulapati was featured on 3d October. She is a senior student of Guru Madurai R. Muralidharan and most of the items presented were composed by him. Her nritta was impeccable in all the items. Orange aharya was suitable. Devi stuti was appropriate for the occasion of Dassera and was elucidated in a polished manner. Dhyana slokam from Lalitha Sahasranamam was followed by verses from Raja Rajeswari ashtakam. Extolling the concept of the universal form of the Mother, Amba in her varied forms leads the divine Host against the Forces of evil. She holds musical Instruments in her hands and is also the Treasure House of all Art forms. As light she removes darkness from Devotees as she sits in veerasana.
The “Dashavataram” in Ragamalika was a longer composition and featured an elaborate narrative with ample scope for picturesque poses done with balanced artistry. One by one the Avataras were shown in sequence as Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parasurama, Rama, Balarama, Krishna and Kalki. The principal Incarnations were like cameos lucidly brought out to depict the restoration of dharma whenever threatened.
Amma Kavuthvam was a novel item describing the unconditional love and protection a mother offers her children. Abhinaya was emotively predominant in conveying the nurturing and defending aspects. The thillana was a vibrant rendition in Madhyamavathi which concluded this part of the day’s program.
Stirring Recital: “The Temple Dance School of Fine Arts” whose mentor Himansee Katragadda accompanied by her students Anishritha Reddy, Ananya Reddy, Swathi Kashyap and Anvika Dumpati gave a stirring Kuchipudi recital. The costumes were striking with ornamentation making them resemble the Frescoes of Ajanta and Ellora. Himansee stood out in blue while the students were in bright scarlet. Ganesh Pancharatnam contained five jewel like descriptions of the God. Three of the students and Himansee formed a series of combined choreographic displays which were skilfully created.
“Swagatam Krishna”, a solo by Himansee presented an Oothukadu krithi which was crisp with natya, nritta and abhinaya in balanced order. The Blue God is hailed as the Vanquisher of Demons as the dancer took up a suitably robust pose highlighting this aspect and then mellowed into a Lord who delights the Gopikas. The Kalinga nartanam episode also was delineated.
Ramayanam and thillana were done by all the dancers together. The entire Ramayana was fleshed out in carefully selected segments culminating in a spectacular tableaux bringing before the audience a complete picture of the coronation of Rama with Sita by his side, including Lakshmana and Hanuman. Dhanashree of Swathi Thirunal was brisk and the students synchronisation was sparkling in this concluding pure nritta item.