REVIEW / REPORT

A celebration of grace, devotion and storytelling

- Madhuri Sarkar
e-mail: sarkarmadhuri88@gmail.com
Photos: VB Suresh

October 2, 2026

Nrityangana Institute of Performing Arts, under the artistic direction of Guru Swapna Rajendrakumar, presented an engaging evening of Indian classical dance at Seva Sadan, Bengaluru, on September 13, 2026. The recital brought together the distinctive aesthetics of Mohiniyattam, Bharatanatyam, Odissi and Kuchipudi in a programme that moved effortlessly between devotion, rhythm and narrative expression.

The evening opened auspiciously with Ananda Ganapathy, a graceful Mohiniyattam invocation to Lord Ganesha, followed by the Bharatanatyam pieces Devi niye thunai and Maadu meikkum Kannan. The young dancers of Nrityangana brought freshness and enthusiasm to their performances, particularly in the charming dialogue between Yashoda and Krishna. Jaganmohanane Krishna continued the devotional mood with its rich portrayal of Krishna in his many facets.

A notable highlight was the Mallari, presented as a jugalbandi of Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam. The contrast between Bharatanatyam's crisp geometry and rhythmic precision and Mohiniyattam's flowing, sinuous movement created a particularly attractive visual and kinetic dialogue.

Debasish Pattnaik

The programme then widened its cultural canvas with Odissi. Guest artist Guru Debasish Pattnaik brought depth and lyrical intensity to his presentations, especially the Shiva invocation and Madhurashtakam. His command over abhinaya, sculptural poses and rhythmic detailing reflected the distinctive vocabulary of Odissi while maintaining a strong devotional core.

M.Surendranadh and Dr. Bijina

M. Surendranadh and Dr. Bijina

The Kuchipudi presentation by guest artistes M. Surendranadh and Dr. Bijina added another dimension to the evening. Arjuna: A Journey Through the Navarasas was an ambitious exploration of the Mahabharata hero through the nine emotional states. The work demonstrated how classical dance can transform an epic character into a deeply human journey of love, courage, anguish, wonder and spiritual acceptance.

Kuchipudi's inherent dynamism and brisk tempo can, at times, challenge a dancer's ability to maintain precision and clarity of movement. This was certainly not the case with M. Surendranadh and Dr. Bijina. Their movements were clearly articulated and complete, without sacrificing the natural flow of the performance. Equally commendable was their ability to bring out the inherent theatricality of Kuchipudi, balancing technique with expressive abhinaya and dramatic engagement. Their presentation thus reflected not merely the speed and vitality of the form, but its complete theatrical vocabulary.

Saalabhanjika

The crowning achievement of the evening was Nrityangana's in-house production, Saalabhanjika. Inspired by the story of Ahalya, the work imaginatively gave voice to a temple sculpture carrying within it a feminine consciousness and an unfulfilled longing. Swapna Rajendrakumar's portrayal of the Saalabhanjika, Devadasi and Shilpi, supported by her well-trained disciples, brought considerable emotional depth to the narrative. The production stood out for its imaginative concept, evocative music and sensitive use of Mohiniyattam's expressive vocabulary.

What made the recital particularly satisfying was its variety without losing its underlying thread of devotion and storytelling. It was also heartening to see young dancers sharing the stage with accomplished guest artistes, creating a meaningful continuum between tradition, training and artistic exploration.

Overall, the evening was a thoughtfully curated celebration of India's classical dance heritage - one in which technique served expression, rhythm supported narrative, and devotion remained at the heart of the artistic experience. Guru Swapna Rajendrakumar and Nrityangana deserve appreciation for presenting a programme that was both aesthetically engaging and rooted in the living traditions of Indian classical dance.

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.