Nruthya Sambrama: A Celebration of India’s Classical Dance Heritage
Nirantara Cultural and Charitable Trust, under the leadership of the renowned dancer-couple and choreographers Sri Somashekar Chudanath and Smt. Sowmya Somashekar curated a memorable evening of classical dance titled ‘Nruthya Sambrama’. The festival celebrated the richness and diversity of Indian classical dance forms, bringing together students, professionals, and connoisseurs of art on a single platform. The thoughtfully curated programme reflected devotion, discipline, and artistic excellence.
The evening opened with performances by the students of Nirantara School of Dance, who presented Bharatanatyam and Kathak. The initial invocations, Ganesha Panchaka and Shiva Shadakshara Stotra, set an auspicious and devotional tone for the festival. This was followed by an expressive ode to the Guru, highlighting the timeless tradition of reverence for the teacher in classical arts. The segment concluded with Mata Kalika, where strong movements and evocative expressions portrayed the power and grace of the divine mother. The young dancers demonstrated commendable rhythm, coordination, and expressive depth, creating a confident and engaging opening.
The next segment featured Bharatanatyam by students of Natya Sampada, headed by Dr. Manasa Kanti. The presentation began with Mamavatu Sri Saraswathi, invoking the goddess of knowledge and arts with poise and serenity. This was followed by Bho Shambo, where rhythmic patterns blended beautifully with devotional fervour. Swagatham Krishna and Jaganmohanane Krishna brought alive the playful charm and divine beauty of Lord Krishna through refined abhinaya. The concluding piece, Srichakraraja Simhasaneshwari, stood out for its intricate rhythmic structure and spiritual intensity. The performances reflected disciplined training and aesthetic maturity, earning heartfelt appreciation from the audience.
A major highlight of the evening was the thematic dance production ‘Madhavam’, presented by Athira Verma, Anju Peter, and Krithika Bhat. This dance-drama beautifully combined Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Mohiniyattam to portray the many facets of Lord Krishna. Through the eyes of a mother, Krishna was depicted as a tender and beloved child; from a sister’s perspective, he appeared as a playful and protective companion; and through the gaze of the beloved, he emerged as the eternal embodiment of love. The distinct aesthetics and expressive qualities of the three classical dance forms merged seamlessly, bringing out the emotional depth and multidimensional nature of Krishna in a deeply moving manner.
The festival then continued with Kuchipudi performances by the students of the Jatin School for Dance. A vibrant Shiva Krithi showcased the dynamic movements and lyrical elegance unique to Kuchipudi. This was followed by a traditional composition from the Kuchipudi repertoire, Ardhanareeshwara, presented by Archana Punyesh. With the Acharya portrayed as Ardhanareeshwara, the performance vividly captured the union of masculine and feminine energies. The powerful abhinaya, precise footwork, and compelling stage presence enthralled the audience and received resounding applause.
The concluding presentation of the evening was Yakshagana, performed by Kalakadamba Art Centre under the direction of Sri Radhakrishna Urala. The episode Mahisha Mardhini captivated the audience with its elaborate costumes, striking makeup, dramatic narration, and vigorous movements. The sheer energy and theatrical intensity of Yakshagana provided a grand and impactful finale to the festival.
The Guest of Honour, Sri Pardeep Kumar, Zonal Director of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), praised Nruthya Sambrama for its unique vision in presenting multiple classical dance forms on a single platform. Dr. Raghavendra of Ananya GML Cultural Academy also shared words of encouragement, commending the performers and organizers for their dedication and artistic excellence.
Overall, Nruthya Sambrama stood as a vibrant celebration of India’s classical dance heritage, successfully blending tradition with artistic expression while nurturing and inspiring the next generation of dancers.
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