Nrityaantaranga Saptaha- a Unique Dance Festival in Puttur
Puttur: ‘Nrityantharanga’ is a series of dance performances through which an attempt is made to understand the classical art forms better. It is a journey to the inner substance of the dances, especially Bharathanatyam. It is the dream project of Vidwan B.Deepak Kumar, Director of Sri Mookambika Cultural Academy(R.), Puttur. Vidwan Deepak Kumar had thought creating a platform for young upcoming talents wherein they could showcase their talent and consequently develop the experience of solo stage performance. To put this idea into action ‘Nrityantharanga’ was designed.
Here the key idea is to give a platform to the budding artistes to perform solo and through this, training them for facing the audience in future. Another idea is to create a good and well-informed Audience or Kala Rasikas for the classical dance. Nrityaantaranga is conducted every month in the dance school of the Academy –‘Shashi Shankara’ Hall in Darbe, Puttur with the joint efforts of the trustees of the Academy –Sri Bhavani Shankar, Smt.Shashi Prabha, Vidushi Preetikala and Vidwan Girish Kumar.
Nrityaantaranga observed successful series already and due to overwhelming response from the artistes and the rasikas asking for more of the series, Sri Mookambika Cultural Academy decided to arrange for a week long Festival ‘Nrityaantaranga Saptaha’ which started from April 23rd and concluded on the auspicious occasion of World Dance Day April 29th.
Day 1 – Nrityaantaranga 22
The first day of the Saptaha was Kathak performance by Smt.Kavyashree Nagaraj from Bengaluru. The inauguration was done by lighting of lamp by Prof.V.B.Arthikaje (a senior press person and retired Professor of Vivekananda College Puttur) and Vidwan Ramakrishna Bhat (Senior Karnatic Music Guru).
Smt. Kavyashree Nagaraj is a disciple of Guru Mysuru Nagaraj and also learning Bharathanatyam from Guru Dr.Suparna Venkatesh. Having a credit of performing in various international platforms and a Gold medalist in M.A. at Bangalore University, Kavyashree has her own institute in Bengaluru. Kavyashree started her Kathak Recital by Shiva Sthuthi- ‘Phalanetra Hara Pinaki’. The succeeded dance numbers were Devaranama by Vijaya Vitala Dasaru, Shankara Girija Pathe-Ardhanareeshwara sthuthi, Avathu Shyam-A Nayika based composition on Radha Krishna, Chand Kavith and Swara oriented dance Trivat. It was a new refreshing experience for the audience as the dance tradition of North India was rare to be performed. Kavyashree dealt with different dimensions of Kathak tradition.
Day 2 – Nrityaantaranga 23
The second day of the Saptaha was Bharatanatyam by Sharath Suryanarayan of Bengaluru. The Guest of honour of the evening was Prof. B.J.Suvarna, a retired professor of St.Philomena College, Puttur.
Sharath being a Gold medalist in Bangalore University is learning Bharatanatyam under Guru Dr.Suparna Venkatesh and also Kathak. Sharath gave an energetic and vibrant performance. The dance numbers presented were Pushpanjali & Ganesha Sthuthi in Sriranjani Raga, Devi Kauthuvam in Punnagavarali, Varna on Lord Shiva in Thodi Raga and thillana in Desh Raga.
Day 3 – Nrityaantaranga 24
The third day of the festival was Bharathanatyam by Smt.Deepa Bhat Bengaluru. Smt. Shantha Kumari, teaching staff of St.Philomena High School was the guest of the evening. Deepa Bhat being one of the senior disciples of Guru Prof.M R Krishnamurthy of Kalakshetra style gave a very neat performance. The items performed were Ganesha Kauthuvam, Devi sthuthi in Ragamalika & Talamalika, Keerthane on Lord Raama, a unique Kannada composition- Ragale poem by Harihara Kavi on Lord Nataraja, Anthahapurageethe on Shukha Bhashini and famous Adisidaleshoda – a devaranama of Purandaradasa. Deepa was equally good in maintaining neatness in both Nritta and Abhinaya.
Day 4 – Nrityaantaranga 25
The fourth day of the sapthaha observed a thematic presentation by Vincent Paul from Bengaluru. The function was inaugurated by Sri Abraham Verghese, the founder Principal of St.George Educational Institution, Nelyadi. Vincent Paul presented a theme based on Hari Leelamrutha. The whole margam was on Lord Raama and Krishna. Started by Pushpanjali in Thilang Raga, Vincent continued with Rama Nama Babu where Yashoda telling the story of Rama to small Krishna, then Pancharathna keerthane –Sadhinchane modified into a Varnam, Ashtapadi showing the lamentation of Krishna in separation of Radha and conclusion by Thillana in Chakravaka Raga.
Day 5 – Nrityaantaranga 26
The fifth day observed a lively performance by Dr.Manjari Chandra from Udupi. The guest of honour of the fifth day was Dr.Gopinath Pai, a well known surgeon of Puttur. Manjari is an Ayurvedic Doctor and a Yoga Trainer by her profession. She started her presentation by a Pushpanjali and Shloka in Hamsanandi Raga. The next items were Shiva Navarasa in Ragamalika –‘Jaganmohanatana’ which was elaborate in showing 9 moods of Shiva, a Bhajan showing the whole Ramayana in a nutshell, and Thillana in Jog Raga. Manjari was very creative and has developed her own style of presentation and interpretation.
Day 6 – Nrityaantaranga 27
The sixth day was Bharatanatyam by Vijay kumar from Calicut,Kerala. Sri Prasanna Bhat, a well known Civil Engineer of Puttur was the chief guest of the evening. Vijay Kumar who is pursuing Doctoral course in IIM at Calicut, Kerala is also a Vocalist and learning Mridangam. Vijay Kumar started the performance with a Pushpanjali in Nata Raga. Then he moved on to Varnam which was based on Nayika sharing her lamentation in separation of Lord Muruga and asking her Sakhi to convey her message of love. This was portrayed beautifully without crossing the decency of gender description. Next was a Keertana calling Krishna-Adaad asangad vaa Kanna. Then a keertana on Hanuman meeting Sita matha. Concluding with a padam asking Lord Nataraja for being indifferent and not considering the devotee. Vijay gave a very unique and vibrant performance.
Day 7 – Nrityaantaranga 28
The last day of the Saptaha was a talented young dancer from Bengaluru – Kum.Priyanka Rao. The valedictory function was graced by Prof. A.V. Narayan, retired professor of Vivekananda College Puttur. Priyanka, a dear disciple of Guru Bhanamathi and Sheela Chandrashekar clearly portrayed the unique style of her Gurus. Starting with Ganesha kavithva, Priyanka moved on to Varnam on Rama in Kharaharapriya Raga depicting the devotion towards the Lord and narrating the whole sequences of Ramayana. Next was a beautiful Devaranama showing Krishna’s confusion for the remarks by his fellow boys-‘Ada hodalle makkalu’. Padam continued in Raga Ananda Bhairavi ‘mathura purilo’, and thillana in Bhageshri Raga. Priyanka was very lively and perfect in her angashuddha. She gave a memorable performance on World Dance Day.
Sri Mookambika Cultural academy(R.) thus made a mark in cultural horizon of Puttur by making different young artistes from outstations and thereby creating a beautiful opportunity for the people of Puttur to have a visual treat of a variety of classical dances.
Report submitted by Vidwan B Deepak Kumar
