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 Sharat Smruti Festival - Vijay Shanker e-mail: vijaydance@gmail.com October 22, 2021 On behalf of Upasana, accomplished Odissi exponent Geeta Mahalik organised the Sharat Smruti Festival virtually on 19th September, as a tribute to Sharat Mahalik, featuring Bharatanatyam by Saroja Vaidyanathan, Kathak by Shobha Koser, Odissi by Geeta Mahalik and students and flute recital by Pt Chetan Joshi. While Chetan Joshi's music flowed effortlessly, moving through various octaves of music and creating a melodious impact on the spectators, Saroja Vaidyanathan's elevating performance, Geeta Mahalik's subtle rendering of the ashtapadi and Shoba Koser's rhythmic expertise, created a lasting and memorable impression.  Pt Chetan Joshi Geeta Mahalik rendered the welcome address. While declaring the significance of the Sharat Festival as a loving tribute to Sharat Mahalik, she welcomed the participation of veterans in the field of performing arts. Her disciple Madhuri Bhaumik introduced the performers. An extract from Tulsidas's Shri Ramcharitramanas, the bhajan "Ramcharan Sukha Dayi" portrayed the glory of the lord, while incorporating varied episodes in the life of Lord Rama, particularly as Bharatha seeks the charan paduka of Lord Rama as a symbol of his reverence for his elder brother. This number was enacted with complete devotion and involvement by Saroja Vaidyanathan who received excellent musical support; particularly the singer was commendable with a soul-stirring voice.  Saroja Vaidyanathan  Shobha Koser Chandigarh based veteran exponent Shobha Koser performed "shuddha nritya" in the Kathak style, executing varied pure dance sequences with perfect footwork and rhythmic accuracy. Shobha also rendered the bhajan "Hai Govind Rakho Sharan" wherein the devotee completely surrenders at the lotus feet of the Lord. Shobha was ably supported on the tabla by Fateh Singh Gangani, padant by Mehmud Khan, sitar by Salim, sarod by Prasanna and vocal rendered by Madhav Prasad. Shobha has established Pracheen Kala Kendra in Chandigarh and is among the foremost mentors.  Geeta Mahalik Geeta Mahalik rendered the ashtapadi "Kuru yadu Nandana" in the Odissi style from Jayadeva's Geeta Govinda portraying the inter-relationship of Radha and Krishna in varied situations of love, covering a wide spectrum of emotions. In this particular composition, Radha is the swadhinapatika nayika who controls her beloved and asks him to apply sandalwood paste on her. The subtle netra and mukhaja abhinaya reveals the intense relationship of love and the complete submission to her lord. Music was rendered by Pt Raghunath Panigrahi, choreography by Pt Mayadhar Raut, vocal by Prasanta Behera, percussion by Prashant Maharana, flute by Abhiram Nanda and sitar by Jeeban Prakash Das. Dancers from Geeta's Upasana Academy performed "Ayegiri Nandini" as the goddess destroys the demon Mahisa, thereby displaying victory over evil. A grand finale indeed.  Vijay Shankar is a Kuchipudi and Kathakali exponent, teacher, bilingual journalist, arts critic and actor. |
