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 Captivating recitals Text & pics: Srivatsa Shandilya e-mail: vatsaphoto@gmail.com December 29, 2023 Kadal Utsava 2023's Bhamakalapam Under the direction of festival director Rajashree Holla, a revered Kuchipudi artiste from Bangalore, the Viveka Auditorium in Bangalore was witness to an enthralling rendition of Bhamakalapam - a precious jewel within the Kuchipudi repertoire. Staged under the guidance of Natyacharya Vedantam Sathya Narasimha Shastry, this performance was an exquisite portrayal featuring Rajashree Holla as Sathyabhama and Sanjana Prasad as Krishna.  Rajashree Holla  Bhamakalapam Bhamakalapam, a treasure from the 11th-century genius Sri Siddhendra Yogi, stands as a testament to the finesse and devotion embedded in the art form. This piece embodies the union of the divine goddess and her spiritual path, brilliantly brought to life by Rajashree Holla's portrayal of sringara rasa. With grace and elegance, Rajashree depicted the various emotions of Sathyabhama, showcasing stages of pride, jealousy, sorrow, and anger, delivering the essence of Siddhendra Yogi's creation. Sanjana Prasad's presentation, adding dimension through hasya rasa, lent depth and delight to the performance. Rajashree's rendition echoed the main essence of Bhamakalapam - the path of devotion and righteousness, as envisioned by Siddhendra Yogi. The presentation, complemented by the talented musical ensemble including Natyacharya Vedantam Sathya Narasimha Shastry, Shanti on vocals, V Sreedharaachari on mridangam, Siva Krishna on violin, and Ramana on flute, mesmerized the audience. While the event was a resounding success, presenting Bhamakalapam in the local language of performance venues could enhance audience understanding and amplify the storytelling impact. This adaptation could help expand the reach of this splendid art form to a wider audience, fostering deeper connections between the performance and its viewers. Sophia Salingaros' exquisite Bharatanatyam performance Kaveri Natya Yoga USA in association with Ananya presented Sophia Salingaros' exquisite Bharatanatyam performance. Sophia Salingaros, an accomplished Bharatanatyam artiste and a disciple of Guru Dr. Sreedhara Akkihebbalu since the young age of 9, showcased a captivating performance that traversed boundaries of culture and tradition. Her presentation, a fusion of dedication, artistic finesse, and cultural appreciation, spoke volumes about her profound journey as a non-Indian dancer in the realm of classical arts.  Sophia Salingaros Commencing her performance with the popular Swarajathi, Amba Kamakshi a masterpiece by Shyama Shastri, Sophia skilfully traversed the majestic raga Bhairavi and the tala mishra chapu. Her portrayal, infused with expressive abhinaya, glorified Goddess Kamakshi, resonating with the intricacies of Shyama Shastri's plea for divine protection. Sophia's artistry in the classical dance form was a testament to her commendable dedication and training. The culmination of her presentation with the Meera bhajan in Varna format, composed by her mentor Dr. Sreedhara Akkihebbalu and tuned by Rohith Bhat Uppor, was a divine ode to Lord Krishna. Sophia's performance exuded devotion and love, echoing the essence of the bhajan with each movement. Her seamless portrayal showcased a deep understanding of Indian mythological stories, interlaced with the visual storytelling of classical dance. Sophia Salingaros displayed an impressive command over the dance form. Her ability to portray complex mythological narratives through dance is laudable, and her commitment to transcending religious boundaries through her performance is a noteworthy endeavour. The audience was left in awe, witnessing Sophia's portrayal that seamlessly blended cultural influences and artistic prowess, leaving a lasting impression of the universal language of dance. 'Shataka Traya' - A mesmerizing ode to Bhartruhari's philosophical musings Seva Sadan, Bangalore recently witnessed a rare and profound production that unfolded Bhartruhari's philosophical writings through the captivating medium of classical dance. 'Shataka Traya,' an enchanting Bharatanatyam symphony choreographed by Guru Dr. Sreedhara Akkihebbalu of Kaveri Natya Yoga, Texas, is an artistic exploration of the triad of life - Sringara, Neeti, Vairagya, as expounded by the 5th-century Sanskrit scholar. The performance, a poetic revelation of human experiences resonating with Bhartruhari's profound philosophy, encapsulated the essence of love, ethics, governance, and detachment. Dr. Sreedhara Akkihebbalu's conceptualization delivered a fusion of art and philosophy that transcended time and tradition.  Shataka Traya Executed by his senior disciples Anuradha Ramachandra, Anusuya Poonja, Divya Warrior, and Shreelakshmi Nagaraj, all from the USA, the production delved into the nuances of loving, living, leaving, and liberating. Their abhinaya, though captivating, left room for further exploration in expressing the rhythmic aspects of nritta. While the performance was elevated by a brilliant musical ensemble, there were instances where the rich musicality, coupled with Prasanna's masterful jathi rendering, felt slightly underutilized by the artistes. The show brought to life the dichotomy between materialistic and spiritual existence, reflecting Bhartruhari's personal struggle, ultimately converging on his conquest of the sensual to author the Shataka Traya. However, compared to Dr. Sreedhara's previous productions, this rendition seemed to miss the typical finesse in showcasing the artistes' talents in the nritta aspect. 'Shataka Traya' succeeded in traversing the complexities of Bhartruhari's philosophical depth through the artistic medium of Bharatanatyam, making it an intellectually enriching and visually engaging experience.  Srivatsa Shandilya is a photojournalist and director of International Arts & Cultural Foundation, Bengaluru. |
