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 Diverse entertainment at 'Samanvaya Kalotsava'- Y.K. Sandhya Sharmae-mail: ykss77@yahoo.com Photos: Shiva Murthy May 5, 2026 It was an evening of pure aesthetic delight, marking a significant milestone in the golden jubilee celebrations of Sri Rajarajeshwari Kalaniketan. Organized by Dr. Veena Murthy Vijay on April 18 at Bengaluru's Seva Sadan, the diverse programs presented touched the hearts of art lovers and provided rich entertainment. The event began with auspicious classical dance performances. This was followed by a dance-drama that used satire and dramatic elements to mirror the harsh reality of a burning contemporary issue, aiming to enlighten the general public. The highlight of the festival, however, was a solo dance performance that deconstructed the popular perception of Ravana as a mere villain, opening a new dimension into his unique personality.  Ravali Nageshwar  Jayasheela Vinod The meaningful programs of the festival achieved a true sense of coordination (Samanvaya), offering a fulfilling experience of artistic perfection and entertainment. Emerging Bharatanatyam dancers, Ravali Nageshwar and Jayasheela Vinod, presented heartfelt solo performances characterized by devotion, expert expression and technical purity of movement (angashuddha).   Subsequently, a team led by Keerthi Kumar and Roopa Krishnamurthy, renowned in Kathak and contemporary dance, performed a satirical farce titled 'Gabbu Kathe' (A Stinking Story). It visually and poignantly depicted the garbage crisis currently plaguing cities. Although the narrative appeared humorous on the surface, it moved forward as a cruel parody of reality, acting as a commendable experiment to awaken civic consciousness. While it may seem like a small matter outwardly, the performance shed light on the escalating garbage problem, environmental pollution, and air pollution, which result in a diseased atmosphere. This stage play would likely have an even greater impact if performed as a street play for the general public rather than just for an educated audience. The conceptualization, the dancers' expressions, the narration, and the effective use of stage sets and props were heart touching.  Surya N Rao The final presentation of the program was a solo dance-drama about Ravana, performed by the talented male dancer Surya N. Rao. It was a testament to the artiste's physical agility, expressive power, and his ability to immerse himself completely into a character. The timely use of the rhythmic lines of the 'Ravana Ashtakam' - composed by the great poet and scholar Ravana himself - along with other hymns and songs, elevated the character. The performance used ten heads to symbolize his immense intellect and a "gateway" to signify the beginning and end of his life's saga. A particularly moving scene depicted Ravana playing his own nerves as a lute (veena) to express his devotion to Lord Shiva when the Rudra Veena failed him. Crucially, the artiste portrayed Ravana's perspective on the abduction of Sita - often seen as the black mark on his character - showing it as a reasoned reaction to the humiliation and disfigurement of his sister, Shurpanakha. The segment also included his request for help from his uncle Maricha, who took the form of a golden deer. Additionally, the 'Mandooka Shabdam' from the Kuchipudi tradition was used to beautifully portray his marriage to Mandodari. Overall, this 'Ravana' succeeded in wiping away many of our deep-seated prejudices. The stage props, background dialogue, music, effective lighting, and the use of multimedia all contributed to the heightened impact of both dramas. Developed under the guidance of Dr. Veena Murthy, the 'Samanvaya Kala Utsava' by Sri Rajarajeshwari Kalaniketan is a commendable initiative that remains socially conscious and creative every year. It is essential that other arts organizations follow the benchmark set by Dr. Veena Murthy.  YK Sandhya Sharma is a Kannada author, poetess and dance-drama critic. |
