|     |
|
| |
 Shashthi Varna Chakra- Madhuri Sarkare-mail: sarkarmadhuri88@gmail.com Photos: Universal Rasikas January 26, 2026 On the evening of January 6, 2026, the Meenakshi Rangamancha Auditorium, Doddakallasandra, was transformed into a sanctified performance space as Bharatanatyam dancer, Dr. Sathyanarayan Raju presented his Shashthi Varna Chakra Poorti - a moment of profound artistic culmination rendered through an extravagant and deeply contemplative dance recital.   Over the past year, he has performed this Ashtaragamalika Varnam sixty times, each presentation accompanied by live musicians. Marking a significant milestone, he chose to present the 60th performance on his 60th birthday, January 6. The auditorium was graced by eminent gurus, renowned artistes, and discerning art lovers who gathered to witness this extraordinary occasion. The response was overwhelming - the main hall overflowed with spectators, and additional audiences were accommodated in two other areas across the campus with live screening. Such an unprecedented turnout is a rarity for a classical dance performance. The performance was not merely a marker of numerical completion, but a sacred threshold in the dancer's evolving journey. "Shashthi Varna Chakra Poorti" symbolized the ripening of discipline, devotion, and discovery, and Sathyanarayan Raju embodied this convergence with remarkable poise. From the very first adavus, the audience sensed an inward stillness beneath the outward precision - a quality that distinguished the evening as both celebratory and introspective. Rooted firmly in the classical grammar of Bharatanatyam, the recital unfolded like a carefully etched mandala. Each movement emerged as a distinct petal, carrying its own emotional resonance while contributing to a larger spiritual geometry. Sathyanarayana Raju's command over nritta was marked by crystalline lines, resonant araimandi, muzhu-mandi and rhythmic clarity that filled the auditorium with kinetic energy. Equally compelling was his abhinaya - measured, luminous, and deeply internalized - where emotion was suggested rather than declared, allowing silence to speak alongside movement. What lent the performance its extravagance was not excess, but depth. The choreography breathed with layered meaning, revealing years of rigorous 'sadhana'. The dancer's body appeared as both instrument and offering, negotiating complex rhythmic cycles while remaining anchored in 'bhava'. His portrayal of devotional and philosophical themes carried an unmistakable sincerity, evoking a sense of communion rather than spectacle.   The ambience of Meenakshi Rangamancha further heightened the experience. Bathed in sensitive lighting and supported by an attentive musical ensemble, the stage became a sacred arena where time seemed to momentarily dissolve. The audience, held in collective stillness, responded with sustained applause that felt less like acclaim and more like gratitude. Sathyanarayana Raju's Shashthi Varna Chakra Poorti was thus not only an extravagant performance but a testament to artistic maturation. It affirmed Bharatanatyam as a living, breathing tradition - capable of honoring its ancient roots while continuously renewing itself through the lived experience of the dancer. The evening lingered long after the final performance on a Kannada song 'Ello hudukide', leaving behind a quiet certainty that this was not an end point, but a luminous passage into deeper artistic realms. The audience, utterly captivated, stood as one to deliver a thunderous ovation.  Madhuri Sarkar is a Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi practitioner (Bangalore). She's a disciple of Sarbani Ghosh and Vyjayanthi Kashi and is Founder/Director at Nigamsudha Performing Arts. |
