|     |
|
| |
 Pallavi's Pratyagaman and Kala Sanskruti Sammelan - Vijay Shanker e-mail: vijaydance@gmail.com September 14, 2024 New Jersey based accomplished Kathak dancer Pallavi Degwekar performed in Mumbai on 31 August for Bhavans Cultural Centre at the SPJIMR auditorium. The programme was titled 'Pratyagaman' (Homecoming) as Pallavi was performing in Mumbai after a lapse of eleven years, hence it was a memorable occasion. The performance was noteworthy for its technical mastery, flawless style of dancing, rhythmic accuracy in footwork and a fine combination of both vibrancy and elegance.  Pallavi Degwekar (Photo: Maharudra) Pallavi Degwekar, a disciple of Guru Asha Joglekar, was initiated into Kathak at the tender age of ten. Pallavi's artistic lineage goes back to her grandfather, who was a Gwalior gharana classical vocalist and her father a gandabandh shagird of Ahmed Jaan Tirakhwa Khan Sahab. For Pallavi, the title of Guru Maa holds true, for it is the Guru, who walks throughout their life, and that was Maushi. Under her guidance, Pallavi performed in their own academy's various annual shows and dance dramas like Guru Poornima, Ritu Raag Darshan, Dawn Jatra, among others. Pallavi taught at Archana Nrityalaya for ten years in India; watching and observing Maushi teach was a learning, unique experience and a blessing too. Her career blossomed as she advanced from a senior Kathak teacher at Archana Nrityalaya in Mumbai to Vice Principal in New Jersey branch to director of Nrityanjali Arts. Today Pallavi is the founder and director of both Pallavi Kathak and The Mahadeo Degwekar Foundation, a US based non-profit NGO, where she continues to impart the same passion for Kathak that her Guru instilled in her. Pallavi commenced her performance with Devi Dhrupad. Dhrupad is one of the most profound forms of North Indian classical music, that evolved around the 15th century from Vedic chants. Pallavi's choreography unveiled the nine swarupas of 'Shakti - the Devi' within us. With a beautiful score by Amod Kulkarni and Chinmay Kolhatkar and the leading vocals by the virtuoso Vinay Ramdasan and tabla by Charudatta Phadke in raag Bhairav and taal Chautaal, this performance celebrating the divine feminine energy and power, made a fine start to the performance. Attired elegantly in white and golden colour costume, Pallavi created a great impression with her powerful and vivacious dancing. After the precise exposition of both teen taal and Jhap taal, Pallavi performed the 'Chaturang' (four colours or four parts) that incorporates the varied elements of melody, rhythm and emotion in Kathak, Chaiti combines expressive storytelling with intricate footwork and rhythmic patterns, integrating folk elements with structured technique in praise of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. Pallavi received fine orchestral support from Guru Kalinath Mishra on tabla, Satyaprakash on pakhawaj, Vaibhav Mankad on vocal and harmonium and Zuber Shaikh on sitar. Pallavi concluded her performance with Tukaram's abhang "Bheti lagi jeeva laglalise aas" translated to the longing of a soul to meet God - expressing Tukaram's yearning for divine presence and communion. The comperes were Anand Singh and Ramkrishna Das and the programme was curated by MK Patel. KALA SANSKRUTI SAMMELAN IN SHOLAPUR Natyashri School of Performing Arts (Sholapur) organised the Kala Sanskruti Sammelan - session 2 with Bharatanatyam dance workshop and performance of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, semi classical and folk dances at Fadkule Sabhagriha in Sholapur on 18 August. Students who participated in the workshop conducted by accomplished exponent Avijit Kundu also performed.  Natyashri is headed by talented Bharatanatyam dancer Veenashri VK Alange. For some years Veenashri has taken the initiative of organising festivals and workshops in order to reach a larger section of the audience as the people in Sholapur are yet to be attracted to the fascinating art of Bharatanatyam, hence such artistic initiatives and exposure is really necessary. After successful performances in Thailand, Kala Sanskruti Sammelan has moved forward to other cities of India, particularly Sholapur. The Sammelan witnessed the performance by young aspiring students and guest performers. It was interesting to watch the enthusiasm of children and guest performers from different cities performing varied styles. After the group presentation of Pushpanjali, Ananya Sripathi from Germany performed Ganesh Kautvam. "Bho Shambho" in praise of Lord Shiva was performed by Shagun Pillai from Bangalore. Shagun succeeded in establishing the power and the glory of the Lord. Vaishnavi Hajari from Nalanda Nrityakala Mahavidyalaya was among the best performers of the festival. She performed the popular traditional varnam "Swami naan undhan adimai" in which the heroine completely surrenders to the Almighty, seeking his blessings and protection. Besides the technical precision, it was a pleasure to watch Vaishnavi dance with ease and lucid expressions.  Veenashri The piece-de-resistance of the evening was the abhang by saint poet Namdeo, "Mayuradi Pakshi" that interprets the thrilling dance of the peacock, rivers flow, gandharvas sing, musicians play the music and apsaras dance too with the fragrance of saffron musk when the devotee visualises the God. This number was well performed by Veenashri with vitality. Veenashri was also seen in the group presentation that portrayed the twin concept of Purusha and Prakriti in Ardhanarishwara.  Avijit Kundu Bangalore based Avijit Kundu performed Shivashtakam and "Jagadhodharana." While Shivashtakam described the power and glory of Lord Shiva, Jagadhodharana portrayed Lord Krishna as the protector of mankind. The dramatic display of command over abhinaya was seen when Poothana tries to poison infant Krishna but in the process gets tormented and attains moksham. Avijit Kundu is a devoted dancer who deserves to be seen more. Rachana Kulkarni was pleasing in the depiction of the goddess in "Raja Rajeshwari." The other solo presentations were by Shrestha Sreepathi, Rayasam and Jhansi from Hyderabad, Shreya Mankar from Mumbai, Rakshita Kirangi from Sholapur, Meenakshi Mohan from Bangalore and the grand finale was the Thillana by the students of Natyashri academy. Veenashri is presently doing her Phd in dance and holds a masters degree in Bharatanatyam from Reva University under the guidance of Dr Vasant Kiran. She is also an MA in Sanskrit. Veenashri is offering free dance education to several students of Government schools, besides teaching at her academy Natyashri.  Vijay Shankar is a Kuchipudi and Kathakali exponent, teacher, bilingual journalist, arts critic and actor. |
