 Karnataka
Kuchipudi Nrityotsav
- Sudha Sridhar, Chennai
e-mail: sudhasridhar@hotmail.com October 4,
2010 The Second
Akhila Karnataka Kuchipudi Nrityotsav organized by Natyasaraswathi Dance
Centre, Bangalore, supported by Department of Kannada & Culture, Karnataka
and Natyasaraswathi, USA, was held on 19th September 2010 at ADA Rangamandira,
Bangalore. It is indeed a laudable effort to bring together the Kuchipudi
artistes of Karnataka to perform on one platform on an annual basis. Continuing
the success of organizing the first such event last year, the second edition
was enthralling.
Dr.Saraswathi, director Natyasaraswathi
felicitating guru Vedantam Ramu
|
Vedantam
Ramu &
Vedantam
Radheshyam
|
Veenamurthy
Vijay
|
Rama Devi
|
The morning
session witnessed lecture demonstration / seminars by eminent Gurus and
artistes alike. The session which started with lighting of the lamp was
very educative and interesting. Both the Gurus from the Vedantam family
of Kuchipudi, Guru Vedantam Radheshyam from Kuchipudi village and Guru
Vedantam Ramu from Chennai rendered gracefully technical pieces by way
of demonstration accompanied by disciples and also explained the nuances
of Yakshaganas.Guru Veenamurthy
Vijay of Bangalore presented in detail, her research study on Yakshaganas
of Kuchipudi and that of Karnataka. Dr. Rama Devi, a doctorate in Kuchipudi,
explained nuances of Golla Kalaapam and provided the much needed guidance
to young dancers on how to progress in this art form. The session concluded
with the graceful presentation of some of the episodes from Usha Parinayam
by Vyjayanthi Kashi of Bangalore. It was a unique sight to see Gurus of
two generations sharing the same platform and presenting a rare educative
opportunity for dancers and connoisseurs of the Kuchipudi dance form.
Padmavathi
Kala Niketan
|
Natyasaraswathi
|
Vidya,
disciple of Vyjayanthi Kashi
|
Laasya
Lahari
|
The evening session
primarily for performances by the dancers started at 5pm with a Poorvarangam
by Natyasaraswathi followed by Ramayana Shabdam performed by Padmavathi
Kala Niketan, Bangalore. This was followed by Bhama Kalapam and Shiva Tandavam
performed by Divya, Neha, Acharya, Aanjana (disciples of Saraswathi). Disciples
of Vyjayanthi Kashi performed Sandya Tandavam (Vidya), Jathiswaram (by
Guru), and Thillana (by Yeal Tael from Israel). Taranagam was presented
by Sangeetha (student of Veenamurthy) and Ramayana Shabdam by Laasya Lahari
(students of Rajashree).Rukminiamma
(Member Text Book Committee, Karnataka Board), Guru Laxmi, and Kathakali
exponent Probal Gupta graced the event. As a prelude to the event, a two
day workshop (17th & 18th September) on Kuchipudi was conducted by
Guru Vedantam Ramu. The workshop which covered exhaustively on fundamentals
and grammar was well received and useful for the participants. It is needless
to add that already the Kuchipudi dance lovers of Karnataka are looking
forward to the next edition to be equally captivating like the earlier
ones. |
