Report - Sai Nrithyotsav: 125 and going strong

Sai Nrithyotsav: 125 and going strong
- G Ulaganathan
e-mail: ulag_nath@yahoo.com
Photos: Dasarath

October 13, 2019

Successfully organising one dance program is itself a major challenge these days. Getting the right dancers, accompanying musicians, a suitable hall with proper infrastructure, stage props, guests and more than that an appreciative audience which will stay back till the end is any organiser's dilemma. If it is a cultural organisation with suitable backroom boys to work on then the arduous tasks can be shared.

But here is a man who has been doing it alone with massive support from his wife and daughter month after month in Bangalore. For Sai Venkatesh, the ace light designer, it is almost a passion to provide the stage for dancers of various styles - some established dancers but mostly fresh faces from across India and sometimes from abroad as well to showcase their talents to the Bengaluru dance lovers.

There are three unique aspects to this festival organised by Sai Venkatesh-the evening of dances happens on the first day of every month and has been on for the last 124 months irrespective of weather or any other event happening in the city. Secondly, it is organised at different venues every month so that dance lovers or rasikas can have the opportunity to witness various styles of dances without having to travel far from their homes. The venue can be a temple, an auditorium or even a small meeting hall which has minimum acoustic support. And, thirdly all dancers irrespective of their seniority, are given a certificate of participation and there are no chief guests making long speeches.

Articulate Ability

Disciples of Minal Prabhu

On October 1 this year, Sai Venkatesh reached an important milestone-125th continuous, uninterrupted 'Nrithyotsav' and it was held at the Seva Sadan, a cultural hub of Bengaluru in the heart of the city. The program began with a Bharatanatyam recital by the visually impaired dancers of Articulate Ability Foundation set up by Kathak guru Mysore Nagaraj. These students have learnt their Bharatanatyam from Dr Suparna Venkatesh who has spent valuable time and moulded them into vibrant dancers. They have learnt the art by 'touch and feel' method with their guru and by their unique sensory knowledge by which sound is the guiding factor. Their Mallari was received with standing ovation.

Next followed an impressive Ganesha Alaripu and 'Nandi sollu' in Ghambeeranattai by the disciples of well-known Bharatanatyam guru Minal Prabhu. They followed it up with 'Amruthavarshini' of Muthuswamy Dikshitar and a Shiva padam. The attractive Mohiniattam by the disciples of Gopika Varma was the next highlight of the evening. They presented Ganapathi stuthi in Arabhi and a Lalgudi Jayaraman composition in Mandu raga. This was followed by an impressive Bharatanatyam by the students of Sai Arts International, Jagadaananda kaaraka of Thyagaraja, choreographed by Suparna Venkatesh. The dancers, who included her daughter Shwetha Venkatesh, used the stage well and their abhinaya was a treat to watch.

In keeping with the practice, Sai Venkatesh brought in two artists from Malaysia, Shankar Krishnaswamy and Narendra who performed Todaya Mangalam and a padam 'Nandi sollu.' A solo Kuchipudi by Sujana Kalakota, disciple of Guru Lakshmi from Vishakapatnam was in rustic style, and she presented a Kshetragna padam in Suruti and a Devi sthuti in Shivaranjani.

Shankar Krishnaswamy and Narendra

Disciples of Madhulita Mohapatra

Disciples of Rukmini Vijayakumar

The brilliant Odissi performance by the three disciples of Madhulita Mohapatra, who presented a dance feature called 'Shivam' was the most attractive item of the evening as also the final recital by the disciples of Rukmini Vijayakumar who is a young, creative choreographer as well. They presented a folkish classical Vishamakaara Kannan, the familiar song in praise of Lord Krishna and concluded with a Thillana in Valachi raga, which was choreographed by Guru Narmada.

It was a melange of classical dances at its best and the only surprising element was the absence of almost all the gurus who let their students take the centre stage.

G Ulaganathan is a senior dance critic based in Bengaluru.