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REVIEW / REPORTSanjay Vadapalli excels in Andhra Natyam- Vijay Shankere-mail: vijaydance@gmail.com Photo: Satish Kumar June 19, 2026 Vadapalli Cultural Trust and Dancing Bells (Hong Kong) presented Andhra Natyam performance by one of the best female impersonators of the country, Sanjay Vadapalli, at the Survaram Pratap Reddy Telugu University in Hyderabad on May 4, in order to honour Guru Dr Kalakrishna with the Dr Nataraj Ramakrishna Nritya Ratna award for his invaluable and outstanding contribution in the promotion and propagation of Andhra Natyam. On this occasion, Sanjay Vadapalli who is decorated with the title 'Satrajiti' presented an elegant performance, inclusive of subtle expressions and delicate movements with the interpretation of selected episodes from "Navajanardhana Parijatham" which is originally performed for nine nights at the nine Janardhana Swamy temples at Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh. In Navajanardhana Parijatham, both Manmadopalambana (reproaching cupid) and Chandropalambana (reproaching moon) form part of Satyabhama's journey over nine nights and stand as a metaphor for the individual or human soul (jeevatma) seeking union with the supreme soul (paramatma). Both Manmadopalambanam and Chandropalambanam comes under Viraha Pattu (lyrics of separation). Besides the interpretative episodes, Sanjay had selected "Chandamama and Manmadha Daruvus" that is normally not performed on the stage, as it requires in depth understanding of the impact of moon on the body and the emotional implications, which requires maturity and mastery in abhinaya, which is the highlight of the presentation.  Sanjay Vadapalli The first episode portrays the transformation of Lord Vishnu as the Mohini in order to take away the "amrutam" from the asuras to be given to the devas. She uses her bodily charm to entice the asuras and cleverly takes away the amrutam in the song "Mohini rupamuna muddulolukuchu" in ragamalika. Sanjay succeeded in depicting the oomph and the sensuous beauty of Mohini, while understanding her basic duties in the pursuit of justice. In the song "Dusta narakuni" Sanjay showcased the pride and valour of Satyabhama and in the next sequence in the song "Movi aanaga" Sanjay narrated the romantic quarrel between Krishna and Satyabhama. Krishna complains that when she kisses him, her nose ring is disturbing and while hugging, her necklace is throbbing; these little quarrels are common in ancient sringaram lyrics and well interpreted with subtlety by Sanjay. In "Oh yamma laara chandrudu" Satyabhama narrates to her female friends (chelikattes) that as full moon has risen in the sky, the viraham, pangs of separations, is increasing and tells her friends to go searching for Lord Krishna, and request him to come back. "Ee viraham etulodtune" and the 'panch banas' were further increasing the restlessness. In the last song "Dandamokkati" Satyabhama realises the paramatma nature of Lord Krishna and prays to him with utmost devotion and bhakti. All songs were set to ragamalika. Sanjay received vocal support from Rama Devi, Kalakrishna on nattuvangam, Janardhan on mridangam, Mahavadi Vasu Sastry on violin and Dattatreya on flute. Sanjay is among the most acclaimed performers of Andhra Natyam and the disciple of Dr Kalakrishna. He is based in Hong Kong and has established his dance academy known as Dancing Bells.  Vijay Shankar is a Kuchipudi and Kathakali exponent, teacher, bilingual journalist, arts critic and actor. |
