NATYA PARAMPARA UTSAV 2017
29th October 2017
National Gallery for Modern Art (NGMA), Bengaluru.
Report by Srividya Angara Sinha

Kuchipudi Parampara Foundation, celebrated the 4th edition of its signature dance festival “Natya Parampara Utsav”. Curated and hosted by Founder Director Deepa Narayanan Sashindran, the festival was held at the National Gallery for Modern Art (NGMA), Bengaluru on Sunday, the 29th of October, 2017.

The evening began with the traditional lighting of the lamp by Sangeet Natak Academy awardee, “YakshagAna SArvabhouma” Sri Chinta Seetaramanjaneyulu garu, renowned Kuchipudi guru Smt. Anupama Mohan from Kerala, Guru Vijaya MarthAnda (Prof, Jain University, and Guru in both Bharatanatyam and Kathak), and writer and art critic Y K Sandhya Sharma, Sri Sai Venkatesh, eminent arts organizer in Bengaluru, Dr. Suparna Venkatesh, well-known Bharatanatyam and Kathak exponent and this year’s Karnataka Kalashree awardee.



The first performer for the evening was 14 year old Vaishnavi Margam, from Warangal. this dancer exhibited firm footwork and adherence to rhythm definitely a bright talent to look for in future. She began her recital with “Jhem jhem tanana”, composition of Carnatic vaggeyakaara Padmavibhushan Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, and choreographed by the legendary Kuchipudi Guru Padmavibhushan Sri Vempati Chinna Satyam. This was followed by another one of the great Kuchipudi master’s works – Ananda tAndava mAde, composed by Gyaanpeeth awardee Dr. C. Narayana Reddy. She finished the jathis perfectly with completed movements and thundering footwork.

Ratheesh Babu, who has carved a niche for himself as a Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi teacher in far-away Bhilai, performed next with his students Shweta Nayak and Rajashree Das. They presented music compiled by his Gurus Anupama Mohan and Dr Rama Devi before ending in a finale where all three artists came together. The first piece, presented by Ratheesh and his student Shweta Nayak was “ChAmpeya gaurArdha sarIrakAya”, the famous ArdhanArIshwara stotram by Sri Adi SankarAchArya. Comprising rich music (RagamAlika, Adi tala), and choreographed aptly by Guru Ratheesh,.



This was followed by the DeekshitAr kriti “SarasijanAbha sOdari” in rAga NAgagAndhAri, and tAla RUpaka. The dancers Shweta Nayak, and Rajashree Das, both did a commendable job. The final presentation for the evening was the well-known Oottakadu Venkata Subbaiyer composition “Ati nirupama sundarAkara”. Sung in the praise of Lord Krishna, and choreographed in the format of a tarangam, this was a lilting melody in the form of raga PantuvarAli, and tala tisra ekam. Ratheesh and his able students ended their segment with well-delivered finale.



In keeping with the uniquness of the Natya Parampara Utsav, the other dance form that was highlighted for the year was Kathak, performed by Dr. Tina Tambe, from Mumbai. Recipient of the prestigious Shringar Mani by the Sur Singar Samsad, and the Nalanda Nritya Nipun award from the Nalanda Dance Research Centre, Dr. Tambe first presented the Shiva Stuti, “Angikam Bhuvanam Yasya”, followed by nritta in the 16-beat cycle of teentaal. Comprising some very special compositions from the Jaipur gharana, Dr. Tina Tambe was crystal clear with her footwork, and her articulation. The most telling part of her presentation was the abhinaya which was centered around Krishna and the festival of colours – Holi. Presented in raag Desh, and taal Deep Chandi, and choreographed by Dr. Tina’s guru Dr. Suchitra Harmalkar, with extreme clarity and subtlety this was delivered by the dancer her expression almost made the onlooker look for water on the floor!

After the Kathak came the evening’s MOHINI BHASMASURA – a Kuchipudi dance drama from the land of the dance style’s origin – the Kuchipudi village. Directed by the brilliant Dr. Chinta Ravi Balakrishna, an Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar awardee, Dr. Chinta R Balakrishna first began his tutoring under his renowned father, “NAtyabhushana” Sri Chinta Ramamurthy. He further honed his skills under illustrious Gurus like Sri Vedantam Rattaiah Sarma garu, Sri Chinta Ramanatham garu, and “Padmasri” Sri Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma garu.



The ballet “Mohini BhasmAsura” tells the story of the asura VrukAsura. Like most asuras, VrukAsura too was an ardent devotee of Lord Siva, and equally intense in his hatred for Lord Vishnu. In his bid to overthrow Vishnu, he engages in “tapas” and when Lord Siva appears in front of him, asks for a boon. “Whoever comes under my palm must turn to ash!” he exclaims. The benign Lord Siva grants him his wish, rechristening him as “BhasmAsura”. But the asura now insists on testing the veracity of the boon by placing it on Siva’s head itself! An alarmed Siva runs to Vishnu asking for help, and Vishnu, assuming the seductive form of Mohini entices the asura to a dance-off. In the very end, Mohini places her hand on her head, and the imitating asura repeats after her, leading to his inevitable death.

Dr. Chinta Ravi Balakrishna as the asura VrukAsura/BhasmAsura was excellent. His bearing, physique, expression, footwork, and AhArya spoke volumes about the thought and clarity behind the crafting of this character.! While the scene for the penance was being enacted, there was a duet centre-stage with Siva and Parvati. Throughout the scene, Dr. Balakrishna continued lip-syncing to the chant “Om Namah SivAya”, lending credibility to the character on stage. The gestures of the eyes and eyebrows, bolstered by the fitting makeup, peppered at places with the heinous laugh of the asura, brought the character to life.




The evening concluded with KPF founder-director Deepa Narayanan Sashindran and the other dignitaries honouring Nonagenarian Guru Sri Chinta Seetaramanjaneyulu. The elderly Guru, a recipient of Sangeet Natak Academy award is renowned as “YakshagAna SArvabhouma”. He had traveled all the way from Gudivada to accept this honour. He spoke words that one felt from a man whose life had been dedicated unswervingly to the nurture and promotion of Kuchipudi.

KPF next honoured well-known Bharatanatyam and Kathak exponent, and choreographer; and this year’s Karnataka Kalashree awardee Dr. Suparna Venkatesh. Other dignitaries felicitated were Kuchipudi guru Smt. Anupama Mohan, Bharatanatyam and Kathak Guru Dr. Vijaya Marthanda and writer/art critic Y K Sandhya Sharma. *********************

Report by Srividya Angara Sinha an Kuchipudi Performer, Choreographer, Teacher, Artistic director Citsabha Bangalore, Art Writer.

Pics Credit
Key words: Natya Parampara, Deepa Narayanan Sashindran, Chinta Seetaramanjaneyulu, Suparna Venkatesh, Srividya Angara Sinha, Chinta Ravi Balakrishna, Mohini Bhasmasura, Yakshagana, Tina Tambe, Ratheesh Babu, Shweta Nayak, Vaishnavi Margam
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