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 Timeless tribute to Kuchipudi: The 11th Natya Parampara Festival - Srivatsa Shandilya e-mail: vatsaphoto@gmail.com Photos: Srivatsa Shandilya November 3, 2024 The Kuchipudi Parampara Foundation recently hosted the 11th edition of the Natya Parampara Festival dedicated to the legendary Kuchipudi exponent Yamini Krishnamurti. Curated by Deepa Narayanan Sashindran, Kuchipudi exponent of over 42 years experience in Kuchipudi artform and life trustee of the Foundation, the festival is a tribute to the life and work of Yamini and aims to celebrate and preserve India's classical dance heritage. Kuchipudi Parampara Foundation based in Bangalore, has been a prominent institution imparting the skills and knowledge of Kuchipudi while curating festivals that uphold the art form's vibrancy. Supported by the Kannada and Culture Department, Government of Karnataka, and co-sponsored by the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi, this year's festival showcased a strong commitment to classical art.  Guru Vedantam Vidhumouli  Guru Bala Vishwanatha In recognition of their contributions to the field, Kuchipudi veteran Guru Vedantam Vidhumouli from Nellore and Bharatanatyam maestro Bala Vishwanatha from Tumkur were honored for their achievements that have left a lasting impact on classical dance, with Vidhumouli representing the traditional Bhagavatulu family and Vishwanatha nurturing future dancers at Nilalaya Nrithya Kendra in Tumkur.  Janani Rao The evening opened with an inspiring Kuchipudi recital by Janani Rao from Hyderabad, a disciple of Sandhya Raju. Rao's return to the stage after a three-year hiatus and recovery from a slipped disc highlighted her resilience and devotion to the art. Her performance of Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam's choreographies, marked by poise and passion, underscored her journey back to dance.  Dilip Selar Following her performance, Dilip Selar, a dedicated Kuchipudi artiste and disciple of Sailaja, delivered a powerful piece honoring the traditional roots instilled by his late grandmother, V. Shantha Bai. Next was an expressive presentation by Karthika Mohan, a disciple of Natyacharya Deepa Narayanan Sashindran. Mohan performed "Draupadi Pravesha Daruvu," an excerpt from the dance drama Agnijyotsna, choreographed by the late Guru Vempati Ravi Shankar. Mohan also performed "Saramaina Matalendho," a javali composition by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal, which she delivered with an impressive mix of devotion and sringara bhakti. Set to raga Behag and adi talam, the piece was choreographed by Deepa Narayanan Sashindran and highlighted the character of a Vipralabdha Uttama Nayika, expressing longing for a distant lover.  Karthika Mohan  Kalamandalam Roshin Chandran Adding diversity to the evening was a traditional Ottanthullal performance by Kalamandalam Roshin Chandran, who presented the story of Bhima's quest for the Sougandhika flower from the Mahabharata. With vivid expressions and theatrical storytelling, Chandran captivated the audience as he depicted Bhima's encounter with Hanuman. The talented Kalamandalam Arun Kumar on vocals and Kalamandalam Krishnaprasad on mridangam provided a rich musical accompaniment, enhancing the humor and drama of the tale. Inspired by the classical Natyasastra principles and created by the poet Kunchan Nambiar in the 18th century, Chandran's performance connected the audience to the profound yet witty appeal of Ottanthullal. Emotions ran high when Kuchipudi Guru Vedantam Vidhumouli, deeply moved by Chandran's performance, spontaneously gifted his shawl to the artiste as a gesture of respect. Another notable moment came when artiste Vyshnavi Varganti presented a monetary token to Chandran, recognizing his outstanding performance. Special mention goes to Dr. Lakshmi Rekha Arun, whose skilled anchoring added depth and fluidity to the program, ensuring a seamless experience for the audience. The Kuchipudi Parampara Foundation, a brainchild of Deepa Narayanan Sashindran, has honored numerous icons since its inception in 2014. This year, Gurus Vedantam Vidhumouli and Bala Vishwanatha joined the ranks of other esteemed awardees, each of whom has left an indelible mark on the field of classical dance. The festival concluded with words of appreciation from Dr. Shobha Shashikumar, a renowned classical dancer, and Y.K. Sandhya Sharma, a respected critic and theater personality, both of whom praised the dedication of the Kuchipudi Parampara Foundation in preserving and celebrating classical dance heritage. The 11th Natya Parampara Festival was a vibrant testament to the power of classical art to inspire, connect, and endure.  Srivatsa Shandilya is a photojournalist and director of International Arts & Cultural Foundation, Bengaluru. |
