An ode to dance

A dance programme titled ‘Prakeerti’ was conducted on the occasion of World Dance Day at Shilparamam, Hyderabad. The event was conceived and curated by Sanjay Kumar Joshi and Dr Anupama Kylash.

The programme was a showcase of four different kinds of dance presentations by eminent gurus of the twin cities. The event commenced with an invocation to Lord Ganapati, in the Kathak style by disciples of Sanjay Joshi, Sharanjeet Kaur and Poonam. It was followed by Sampradayam by Geeta Ganeshan and disciples.

Geeta Ganeshan and four of her disciples, Priyanka, Amrutha, Amulya and Aditi, presented a set of three traditional dance items in the Bharatanatyam format. The items were, Pushpanjali with Vinayaka Stuti, in Amrutavarshini ragam and Talamalika, Keertanam, Karunakara Sri Venkatesha, Mohana Ragam Adi talam, and finally, a thillana in Dhanashree Ragam and Adi Talam.

Dr P Rama Devi presented from Golla Kalapam. She recited Daruvus and dialogues from the operatic ballad Golla Kalapam, in the Kuchipudi style. Golla Bhama vacchenu, and Brahmanulaite sharanuchesedanu, were the main Daruvus presented.

Next performance ‘Prajna- Awareness in Movement’ was a combined presentation by Nayantara Nandkumar in the Odissi style and Kalaripayattu by Guru Lakshman of Kerala, and his team. This production looked at the static energy of male and dynamic energy of the female. The martial art technique and the lasya form of Odissi were designed to complement each other.

The final performance of the day ‘Chhaya- Reflections of longing’; this was a dance theatre presentation by Dr Aruna Bhikshu and troupe. This performance was a new way of looking at the age old concept of Sringara and its manifestation in Viraha or the state of longing.

A self that represents longing narrates the story of longing in time. Compositions of Kshetrayya, Magalampalli Balamuralikrishna and Kailash Kher were used to string the narrative together. It was presented by Dr Aruna Bhikshu, Mahati Bhikshu, Lalitha Sinduri, Shanmukha Siva Prasad and Voggu Praveen.