Vitthal Abhang | Abeer Gulaal | Bharatanatyam Kathak | Story of Chokhamela

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A Kathak Bharatanatyam dance cover of Sant Chokhamela’s popular Abhang “Abeer Gulal”, composed by Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki in raga Bhoopali, performed to IndianRaga’s production of this Marathi devotional song on Lord Panduranga. Dancers Sunil Sunkara (Kathak), Sacchidanand Narayankar (Bharatanatyam) and Sonam Vora (Bharatanatyam) depict the story of Sant Chokamela’s Bhakthi, his complete devotion to Vitthala, Lord Panduranga of Pandharpur, his anguish upon not being able to enter the temple, his desperation and helplessness for being born into a lower caste and finally his liberation at the feet of Vitthala.
The temple statues of Vitthala and his consort Rukmini come to life upon hearing the heartfelt cry of their devotee Chokhamela. They go to Chokhamela and dance with him. Chokhamela wakes up from his trance like state and doesn’t know if it was all a dream or real. Then he notices the 'angavastra' on the floor next to him that could belong only to Vitthala in the temple. Clutching Vitthala’s angavastra Chokhamela finally enters the temple, and this time no one stops him. Chokhamela offers the Vastra to Vittala, symbolizing surrender of his body at the feet of Vitthala. He thus attains salvation as his Aatma or soul becomes one with the Paramaatma, the divine.

The artists can be reached at
Sunil Sunkara
  / sunilrsunkara  
  / sunilrsunkara  
  / sunilrsunkara  
   / sunilramkumarsunkara  

Sachhidanand Narayankar
   / Канал  
  / n.sachhidanand  
  / n_sachhidanand  

Sonam Vora
   / @sonamvora8726  
  / sonamv88  
  / sonam_bharatanatyam  

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IndianRaga brings together the best musicians and dancers across 60 international cities to collaborate on high quality music videos viewed by millions of people globally. The genres we work with are rooted in Indian classical performing arts and include Carnatic music (South Indian classical music), Hindustani music (North Indian classical music), semi-classical music, contemporary and fusion music, Indian classical dances including Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Mohiniattam, Kathak, and also ballet, tap, contemporary dance. Our productions also include a wide range of instruments including mridangam, tabla, sitar, violin, flute/bansuri, veena, ghatam, and new-age categories like music arrangement and production with EDM, Trap, Pop amongst others. Our most popular innovations include classical cover songs, a cappella, mashups and remixes of the latest viral pop hits in both western and Indian music. Anyone can apply to join our collaborations, and you can visit www.indianraga.com for more details and application process.