REVIEW / REPORT

Brilliant dancers at Kalahrnisham Festival

- Vijay Shanker
e-mail: vijaydance@gmail.com

September 7, 2026

Pavitra Art Visual Institute (PAVI) organised the Kalahrnisham dance festival at Blossom International School auditorium in Dombivli, Thane district, on 1st August. It was encouraging to watch brilliant classical dancers, showcasing varied dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Odissi and Kathak in their own individualistic style.

Kalahrnisham is a national classical dance festival founded by accomplished dancers Pavitra Bhat and Aparna Shastry Bhat with the vision of bringing India's finest classical dance tradition to audiences in Dombivli, which is a far-off suburb in the central railway side, hence far from Mumbai city. The main idea of organising the festival in Dombivli is to attract people towards this distant suburb and also to create an awareness, regarding the significance of such cultural programs. Kalahrnisham means "art that lives day and night" or a continuous celebration of art; the name was decided by Aparna Shastry, as it reflects that art is not confined to the stage - it is a lifelong journey, lived every moment.

The program commenced with scintillating Bharatanatyam performance by Aparna Shastry Bhat. Besides the structural quality, what is striking is her ability to connect with the audience with her sparkling expressional dancing. Besides Ganesha Stuti and "Naada tanumanisham," Aparna also scored in the Jaavali, "Appudu manasu," that portrays varied fluctuations of the women in love, as she is deprived and jealous of the other women. Both Aparna and Pavitra form a great team and can easily be described to be among the best couple dancers of the country. Aparna is the disciple of Guru Radha Sridhar.

Aparna Shastry

Karthika Unnikrishnan

Karthika Unnikrishnan is the talented disciple of veteran Kathak dancer and mentor, Guru Uma Dogra. Karthika proved her command over footwork pertaining to complex rhythm in Pancham Sawari. However, the ashtapadi "Sakhi hey" revealing the intimate moments with Lord Krishna was not an apt choice of item to be presented, as the children in the audience were wondering what was happening.

Mitali Varadkar is a disciple of veteran Odissi mentor Guru Shubhada Varadkar. Mitali created a lasting impression with her elegant performance, fine control over movements, inclusive of the nritta karanas of the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva. The number also portrayed the significance of Lord Vishnu and his varied manifestations. Mitali is a talented dancer.

Mitali Varadkar

Chitra Dalvi, Sanika Shinde, and Gauri Sajith

The last Bharatanatyam performance of the evening was rendered by the amazing trio of dancers - Chitra Dalvi, Sanika Shinde, and Gauri Sajith, disciples of Dr Sandhya Purecha. The Devi Stuti "Narayani Nomostute" incorporating the portrayal of the virile aspect of the goddess in "Aygiri Nandini" was powerful and dramatic. The dancers also performed the popular "Bho Shambho" projecting the varied tandavams like Sandhya, Ananda, Raudra, etc. It was really a rare spectacle to watch these dancers performing with fine synchronisation, harmony, structural and dramatic quality, creating a mesmerising impact on the audience.

Vijay Shankar is a Kuchipudi and Kathakali exponent, teacher, bilingual journalist, arts critic and actor.