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 Pleasing presentations- Vijay Shankere-mail: vijaydance@gmail.com May 24, 2026 PLEASING DUO The Asthika Samaj is one of the premier spiritual and social organisations in Mumbai city (Matunga) that has been regularly organising cultural programmes, especially during auspicious religious festivals, hence classical music and dance performances are offered to the presiding deity Lord Rama by several performers, during the year. On the occasion of Rama Navami, two young talented Bharatanatyam dancers performed on the compact stage in the presence of the Lord, attaining spiritual bliss with their devoted performance, held on 26th March. Krishika Venkatesh and Akansha Parimalan are the disciples of veteran mentor and Carnatic music vocalist, Guru Lata Raman, who heads Nrityasudha Fine Arts Academy, one of the premier centres for Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music. The talented duo commenced their performance with Todaya Mangalam in praise of Lord Rama and followed it with the traditional Sankeerna Alarippu that was performed with precise execution of varied movements.  Krishika Venkatesh and Akansha Parimalan Akansha Parimalan performed two solo numbers, the first one in praise of Devi Saraswati, as the goddess of learning and knowledge and the Sabdam "Dayaradhan" in praise of Lord Rama. The people describe him as God and find him to be the perfect match for Sita. Krishika Venkatesh performed Shivashtakam - the eight deeds and manifestations of Lord Shiva with vibrant poses and movements, interpreting the glory and power of the Lord. The Utsava Prabandham by Swati Thirunal, "Kanamayamaidum" in which the apsaras are delighted to see the magnificent chariot and are wondering who is in the chariot, whether it is Indra, Chandra, Shiva, Surya or Kuber, only to realise later that it is none other than Nirajabhan (Lord Vishnu). The pleasing duo concluded their performance with the popular Swati Thirunal Dhanasri Thillana in praise of Lord Padbanabha, surrendering to the lotus feet of the Almighty. This Geetadhwani Thillana is performed with complex intricate and rhythmic patterns, blending well with stylized movements, forming the grand finale to the performance. All the dance numbers were choreographed and sung by Guru Lata Raman. Performing in the temples is one of the most gratifying and fulfilling experiences for every artiste. PIBARE RAMA RASAM Samanwaya Dance Academy, Bengaluru, celebrated its annual day programme with the thematic presentation "Pibare Rama Rasam" that portrays the magnificent Lord Rama as an epitome of righteousness, courage and compassion through the insightful renderings by great composers like Saint Tygaraja, Maharaja Swati Thirunal, Muthuswamy Dikshitar, Arunachala Kavirayar, Purandaradasa and saint Tulsidas. This presentation was performed by Guru Bhavana Udaya Kanthy and her team of talented disciples at ADA Rangamandira in Bangalore on 11th April.  Pibare Rama Rasam (Photo: Universal Rasikas) After the Pushpanjali, the senior dancers of Samanwaya performed one of the popular pancharatna kritis of saint Tygaraja, "Jagadananda Karaka" in praise of Lord Rama, 'O Bestower of happiness to the world, O Husband of Sita, Victory to you', interpreted in ragam Natai and talam adi, followed by the composition of Lakshmana Acharya, "Nama Ramayana" based on Valmiki Ramayana, that portrays the complete Ramayana, commencing with Aswamedha and Putra Kameshti Yagnam as the childless Dasharatha and his wives Kausalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra finally give birth to Rama, Bharatha, Lakshmana and Shatrugna who are mentored by sage Viswamitra. Rama kills Tataka and the demons who try to obstruct the religious rites performed by the Rishis. Later Rama and Lakshmana visit Mithila to participate in the Swayamvara of Sita and Urmila. This episode unfolds with the rendering of Tulsidas' "Shri Ramachandra Kripalu" followed by the Kalyana Rama padam of Oothukadu Venkata Subbaiyer and finally, "Sita Kalyana Vaibhogame". The role of Sita was played by Bhavana and the role of Rama was enacted with complete sincerity by Dakshina. Pattanam Subramanya Iyer's "Raghuvamsa Sudhambudhi" unfolds the scene when Kaikeyi demands her rights and Rama leaves for the fourteen years exile, later the scene of Shurpanaka, the golden deer Maricha, the missing of Sita and the number ends with the appearance and devotion of Hanuman, as depicted in Hanuman Chalisa of Tulsidas.  Pibare Rama Rasam (Photo: Universal Rasikas) Acharya Sadashiva Brahmendraswamy's "Pibare Rama Rasam" in which Jatayu drinks the nectar named Rama, the last drop is offered by Lord Rama, thereby Jatayu gets Moksham. Similarly, Lakshmana drinks the nectar of Sanjeevini herb procured by Hanuman. In the finale compositions Saint Tygaraja in "Kinchit tava Rama bhaktim dehi" in which the devotee says, "Give us a pinch of your Bhakti towards Rama so that we experience the same bliss that you do". The programme concluded with Swati Thrunal's "Bhavayami Raghuramam". It was truly a rare spectacle to watch all the dancers, teenagers to youngsters, dancing with complete involvement and discipline. The senior dancers were led by Guru Bhavana and Dakshina U Kanthy, Deekshita Shyam, Riya Bhattacharya, Samkshatte, Avani Menon, Anagha Nair, Upasana, Niranjana, Daksha S, Sahitya, Sainishtaa, Akshita P and Amelia John. The musical ensemble was led by Guru Bhavana U Kanthy on nattuvangam, vocal by Bhagyalakshmi Guruvayur, mridangam by GS Nagaraj, veena by Niveditha Arun, flute by BN Skanda Kumar. Make-up was by Babu Valancherry and team. Guru Bhavana Udaya Kanthy is the founder director of Samanwaya Dance Academy. She holds a Masters degree in Performing Arts from the Annamalai University. Trained in the Kalakshetra bani, she has had the privilege of learning Bharatanatyam from acclaimed mentors like Guru Sheela Unnikrishnan, Vidhya Subramanian, Dr Sivaloganathan, and Manju V Nair.  Vijay Shankar is a Kuchipudi and Kathakali exponent, teacher, bilingual journalist, arts critic and actor. |
