Kala Banu Festival

- Dr. Veena Murthy Vijay
e-mail: veenamurthyvijay@gmail.com
Photos: Srikanth Daaldur, Pixel Pravaha

November 12, 2025

Kala Banu Festival on 3rd of October at Indian Institute of World Culture, Bangalore, celebrated the legacy of Guru Bhanumati.

I consider myself truly fortunate to have been born in the mid-sixties in Bangalore - an era that allowed me to witness the brilliance of some of the greatest legends in Indian classical music and dance. Through our organisation, we had the privilege of hosting iconic maestros such as M.S. Subbulakshmi, Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, and many other illustrious scholars and artists whose contributions have profoundly shaped the cultural fabric of our nation. Looking at today's performing arts scene, it is heartening to witness the remarkable progress and refinement in the presentation of both music and dance. The balance between tradition and innovation continues to strengthen and enrich our artistic heritage.

Kala Banu is a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Vidushi and Guru Bhanumati - a dancer par excellence, a selfless teacher, and a guiding light who has always stood firmly by her disciples. This year's edition of the festival featured distinguished dance exponents, upholding the time-honored Guru–Shishya Parampara with grace and devotion.

Aishwarya Nityanand

The first presentation in this segment was by Aishwarya Nityanand, senior disciple of Guru Radha Sridhar. Her theme centred on the divine mother Devi Kali and Devi Bagalamukhi, two among the ten powerful forms of the Goddess. It was a powerful invocation of Kali, the destroyer of ignorance and bestower of wisdom, and Bagalamukhi, the goddess who silences negativity through her power of Stambhana. The choreography vividly portrayed the ferocious yet protective aspects of the Mother Goddess, dramatizing her encounters with demons such as Mahishasura. The performance, enhanced by the evocative music of D. Srivatsa, jathis composed by Gurumurthy, in Ragamalika and Talamalika, left a deep impression on the audience, celebrating the eternal strength of the feminine divine.

Sheela Chandrashekar

The second presentation was by Guru Sheela Chandrashekar, the senior-most disciple of Guru Bhanumati, who continues to carry forward her Guru's bani with utmost dedication and passion. After presenting the Shiva Navarasa Shloka from Soundarya Lahari as opening piece, Sheela presented a Varnam, "Devar Muni," composition of Lalgudi Jayaraman exploring a unique conceptual approach - a spiritual journey of a devotee to the abode of Lord Venkateswara from Alipiri steps. The choreography traced the devotee's ascent through the seven sacred hills of Tirupati, symbolizing the soul's progression toward divine union. Her depiction of the Dashavataras and the sculptural imagery encountered along the way were beautifully woven into the narrative, bringing out both bhakti and rasa in perfect harmony.

All in all, the evening was a memorable and moving experience - a celebration not only of dance, but of enduring Guru Bhakti. For me, it was a precious moment to witness the living legacy of my dear friend Guru Bhanumati, carried forward with love and reverence through her disciples and her institution, Nritya Kala Mandiram, under the stewardship of her brother Chandrashekar.

Dr. Veena Murthy Vijay is a Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi exponent and mentor, a research scholar and a well-known choreographer from Bangalore. She is the director of Sri Raja Rajeshwari Kala Niketan, Samanavay Dance Company and AIM Bengaluru International Arts Festival. She is President, World Dance Alliance, Karnataka Chapter, Asia Pacific.