Audio-visual spectacle
"Kathak Through The Ages"- a dance feature presented on Friday, proved how the 'history of dance' could blossom into a beautiful audio-visual spectacle.
Kathak, one of the popular dance forms of India 'through the ages', was presented through dance, music and painting. Temples, revival at the palaces of the Rajput kings, Moghul emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Wajid Ali Shah; music (Dhrupad, Taraana, Thumri, Khayaal, Ghazal), costume, saints and sufism- all was presented through dance and music.
A good lot of thought and research has gone into the production and Dr Maya Rao, one of the ace choreographers of India, had fielded a well trained team, which performed gracefully without letting go of tempo and switching roles (including costumes), in quick succession.
Throughout the 90-minute programme, the stage was vibrating with life, music and rhythm. Melodious music, the background painting (slides) and the period costumes were immensely attractive.
It was a result of the experience and talent of the veteran choreographer Dr. Maya Rao, assisted by Madhu Nataraj and a team of artistes and technicians. The dancers from the Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography and the Stem Dance Kampni, performed with perfect disciplined team work. In total, "Kathak Through The Ages" was a memorable experience.
A pleasant performance
Senior dancer Anuradha Vikranth of Dristi Arts Centre, gave a dance recital along with her senior students. After the Ganesha Stuthi they chose the "Arishad varga" and different episodes were selected to portray Kaama, Krodha etc.
Arjuna-Urvashi, Kaikeyi, Ravana-Seetha episodes were performed with ease and confidence.
The Nijaguna Shivayogi's lyrics was a welcome addition to the dance repertoire.
Finale came in the form of a thillana in the raga Sumanesharangini. It was a pleasant performance with good team work.
Tribute to USK
US Krishna Rao and Chandrabhaga Devi were not only veteran dancers but also respected guru's and reputed choreographers. In their memory, the Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan conducts an annual dance programme in association with Maha Maya. Last week, there were two dance recitals in their memory.
Sneha Narayan, recipient of the USK scholarship for the year 2014, gave a Bharathanatya recital in the beginning. Sneha first performed few items choreographed by USK and Chandrabhaga Devi, taught to her by Shobha Venkataramani.
She opened with Ganapathi and Saraswathi Stotra set to ragamalika, followed by a jathiswara in Kalyani. The "Shringara Lahari" of Aliya Lingaraj Urs is one of best compositions in the raga Neelambari, which is an ideal piece for Abhinaya. Sneha performed gracefully and also presented few items under the guidance of her Guru Praveen Kumar.
The Purandara Dasa Devaranama "Kadagola Tharenna" is a popular choice and concluded with a thillana in Simhendra Madhyama. With good stage presence Sneha Narayan gave a good account of herself as a dancer of good promise. She was supported by Shobha Venkataramani and Praveen Kumar (Natuvanga), Raghuram (vocal), Rangaswamy (mridanga) and Dayakar (violin).
Aradhana concerts
Religious and cultural programmes are being held across the City for the Aradhana of Sri Raghavendra Swamy. One such institution is the Sri Raghavendra Seva Samithi, which had organised Bhajans, discourses, instrumental and vocal music (both Karnatic and Hindustani) concerts.
M S Sheela, a popular musician of the state, gave a delectable vocal recital in the Aradhana series, which appealed to both connoisseurs and lay listeners alike. To suit the occasion, the experienced musician chose the Kannada compositions of Haridasas and sang appealingly. She presented the invocatory song, setting a stately colour to the concert.
Further "Smarisabeku Ninna Guru Sarvabhouma" added further validity to her musical acumen. The swara for "Srinivasanu Oliyalu" was lively and the ugabhoga as preamble was meaningful. While "Manava Shodhisabeku Nitya" was in a majestic "vilamba kaala", the popular pada "Narayanathe Namo Namo" was a quickie. The "Bannisi Pogitha" brought out the sweetness and allure in Sheela's voice.
Nalina Mohan, BC Manjunath and Narayan Murthy accompanied on violin, mridanga and ghata respectively. Sheela also sang few more compositions including "Hare Venkatashaila Vallabha", evocatively.
"Kathak Through The Ages"- a dance feature presented on Friday, proved how the 'history of dance' could blossom into a beautiful audio-visual spectacle.
Kathak, one of the popular dance forms of India 'through the ages', was presented through dance, music and painting. Temples, revival at the palaces of the Rajput kings, Moghul emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Wajid Ali Shah; music (Dhrupad, Taraana, Thumri, Khayaal, Ghazal), costume, saints and sufism- all was presented through dance and music.
A good lot of thought and research has gone into the production and Dr Maya Rao, one of the ace choreographers of India, had fielded a well trained team, which performed gracefully without letting go of tempo and switching roles (including costumes), in quick succession.
Throughout the 90-minute programme, the stage was vibrating with life, music and rhythm. Melodious music, the background painting (slides) and the period costumes were immensely attractive.
It was a result of the experience and talent of the veteran choreographer Dr. Maya Rao, assisted by Madhu Nataraj and a team of artistes and technicians. The dancers from the Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography and the Stem Dance Kampni, performed with perfect disciplined team work. In total, "Kathak Through The Ages" was a memorable experience.
A pleasant performance
Senior dancer Anuradha Vikranth of Dristi Arts Centre, gave a dance recital along with her senior students. After the Ganesha Stuthi they chose the "Arishad varga" and different episodes were selected to portray Kaama, Krodha etc.
Arjuna-Urvashi, Kaikeyi, Ravana-Seetha episodes were performed with ease and confidence.
The Nijaguna Shivayogi's lyrics was a welcome addition to the dance repertoire.
Finale came in the form of a thillana in the raga Sumanesharangini. It was a pleasant performance with good team work.
Tribute to USK
US Krishna Rao and Chandrabhaga Devi were not only veteran dancers but also respected guru's and reputed choreographers. In their memory, the Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan conducts an annual dance programme in association with Maha Maya. Last week, there were two dance recitals in their memory.
Sneha Narayan, recipient of the USK scholarship for the year 2014, gave a Bharathanatya recital in the beginning. Sneha first performed few items choreographed by USK and Chandrabhaga Devi, taught to her by Shobha Venkataramani.
She opened with Ganapathi and Saraswathi Stotra set to ragamalika, followed by a jathiswara in Kalyani. The "Shringara Lahari" of Aliya Lingaraj Urs is one of best compositions in the raga Neelambari, which is an ideal piece for Abhinaya. Sneha performed gracefully and also presented few items under the guidance of her Guru Praveen Kumar.
The Purandara Dasa Devaranama "Kadagola Tharenna" is a popular choice and concluded with a thillana in Simhendra Madhyama. With good stage presence Sneha Narayan gave a good account of herself as a dancer of good promise. She was supported by Shobha Venkataramani and Praveen Kumar (Natuvanga), Raghuram (vocal), Rangaswamy (mridanga) and Dayakar (violin).
Aradhana concerts
Religious and cultural programmes are being held across the City for the Aradhana of Sri Raghavendra Swamy. One such institution is the Sri Raghavendra Seva Samithi, which had organised Bhajans, discourses, instrumental and vocal music (both Karnatic and Hindustani) concerts.
M S Sheela, a popular musician of the state, gave a delectable vocal recital in the Aradhana series, which appealed to both connoisseurs and lay listeners alike. To suit the occasion, the experienced musician chose the Kannada compositions of Haridasas and sang appealingly. She presented the invocatory song, setting a stately colour to the concert.
Further "Smarisabeku Ninna Guru Sarvabhouma" added further validity to her musical acumen. The swara for "Srinivasanu Oliyalu" was lively and the ugabhoga as preamble was meaningful. While "Manava Shodhisabeku Nitya" was in a majestic "vilamba kaala", the popular pada "Narayanathe Namo Namo" was a quickie. The "Bannisi Pogitha" brought out the sweetness and allure in Sheela's voice.
Nalina Mohan, BC Manjunath and Narayan Murthy accompanied on violin, mridanga and ghata respectively. Sheela also sang few more compositions including "Hare Venkatashaila Vallabha", evocatively.