Mesmerizing and Brilliant performance by Nidhaga Karunad

Mesmerizing and Brilliant performance by Nidhaga Karunad

Puttur: Sri Mookambika Cultural Academy(R.), Puttur conducted its regular monthly dance Festival ‘Nrityaantaranga 18’ recently in its auditorium ‘Shashi-Shankara’ in Puttur. The programme was performed by young energetic Bharatanatyam dancer from our capital Bengaluru. The evening was inaugurated by Prof. V B Arthikaje, retired professor of Vivekananda College, Puttur and an art critic. Sanvi Kaje and Vindhya Karanth recited the prayer. Vidushi Soujanya, the senior student of the academy welcomed the gathering. Vidushi Preethikala introduced Nidhag to the audience.

Little students of the Academy Isha Sulochana Muliya and Akshaya Parvathi Saroli gave a small lecture demonstration on the topic ‘Dashavidha Adavu’ i.e., 10 types of basic adavus. Ashwini Krishna Muliya talked on behalf of the audience and the parents. She admired the hard work and continuous support of guru Vidwan Deepak Kumar in training the students for this regular dance series and creating an awareness, educating the audience about the nuances of classical dance forms and creating a platform to display their talents. She also appreciated the Academy members for bringing outside artistes like Nidhaga and thereby making the people of Puttur to watch the qualitative performances from professional artistes.

Later on, Nidhaga Karunad performed Bharatanatyam. He started his performance by a Shiva Sthuthi Ananda Natana Prakasham’ in kedara Raga & Mishrachapu Tala, a composition of Mutthu Swamy Deekshitaru. Nidhaga caught the attention of the audience in this very beginning dance itself. The vibrant whirls, jumps and various Karanas and poses made the audience spellbound. He next continued with a Varnam in Atana Raga, Adi Tala. In the Varna, Nidhaga showed the compassion and devotion to Lord Krishna in various shades of expression.

The Varna was very comprehensive and went off for more than 35 minutes. Varna included many stories of Sri Krishna. The last item was a Devaranama on Lord Hanuman, “Yena Pelali Hanuma’, in Gorak Kalyan Raga and Khanda Chapu Tala. In this number, Nidhaga showed the devotion towards Hanuman and described few related stories. Prof. Arthikaje, the guest of the evening admired the manly performance by Nidhaga and said that classical dances like Bharatanatyam suits men also provided they should maintain the elegance and attitude in the presentation. The event was highly appreciated by the audience as male classical dancers are very rare to watch in Puttur. Vidwan B Deepak Kumar organized the event and informed about the upcoming events.

Profile of Nidhaga Karunad:

The very name Karunad signifies the Glory of Karnataka, hailing from a cultural family, Nidhaga Karunad started his dance career in Yakshagana at the tender age of seven at ISKCON , Bangalore under the guidance of Srinivasa Sastan, Karnataka Kala Darshini. Later he was inducted to Bharatanatyam and Kathak at Sai Arts International under the guidance of Dr Suparna Venkatesh and Mysore B Nagaraj. Also, He has been trained under the guidance of internationally reputed Dancer Choreographer. Dr Maya Rao. He is a graded artiste in Doordarshan in both Bharatanatyam and kathak. He is a scholarship holder of Sangeetha Nritya Academy. He is an active member of Sri Purandara International Trust (R); Sri Purandara Bhaktha Sabha : Chennai; and has taken part in Sai Nrityotsav’s and in productions of Articulate Foundation, and also assisted in training the Visually Challenged of Articulate Ability.

Notable Performances:

International Cultural and Art Festival: Tianjin, China
People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign countries: Shandong, China.
Hampi Utsava
Lakkundi Utsava.
Vishwa Kannada Sammelana: Belgavi.
Brahmostava Festival at ISKCON, Bangalore.
Janapada Jatre- Dept. of Kannada & Culture.
Ananya Samarpana – The Asian Festival of Classical Dance
National Dance Festival by Sai Arts Festival : Bangalore.
Represented Sai Arts International : Nepal.
World Dance Day : Bangalore
Suvarna Karnataka Udgatana (K.S.C.A Stadium): Kannada & Cultural Dept.
Dooradharshan Kendra at Rajbhavan, Bangalore
Avismriti
Kalarnava
Alvas Virasat-Moodubidire
Navaraspur Festival
Alvas Nudisiri-2015
Udupi Paryaya 2016
Karavali Utsava 2016
BIFF Festival 2016

Apart from the above performances, he has obtained distinction in Bharatanatyam senior exam. He is a graded artist at Doordarshan in both Bharatanatyam and Kathak. He has assisted in Choreographing the Visually challenged artists of Articulate Ability, for Udaya and Sun T.V Shows. And have choreographed at Various Places and Schools viz: Jain International Residential School, Kanakapura. Cambridge School. Vijaynagar, East-West School. Rajajinagar, etc.

Awards:

Aralu Mallige Prashasthi.          — Gnana Mandaara Academy
Karnataka vibushana prashasthi — Karnataka janatha Sena Dala
Vivekananda Bala Prashasthi     — Basavanagudi Foundation
Karunada Dhruva Thare Award  — At ADA Rangamandira

Report submitted by: Vidwan B Deepak Kumar, Puttur