Kuchipudi Pancha Nayika 2016, Bangalore. The 8th of February, 2016 saw the glittering premiere of a unique Kuchipudi recital “Pancha NAyika” at the ADA Rangamandira, Bengaluru. The concept conceived and directed by Kuchipudi exponent Deepa Narayanan Sashindran, was organized under the aegis of city-based photographer Srivatsa Shandilya’s “International arts and culture foundation”. The evening saw five Kuchipudi dancers each donning the roles of Lakshmi, Sita, Rukmini, Satyabhama and Draupadi as Consorts and expressing how life together with their respective Lords brings joy and contentment. It began with “pravesha daruvus” and moves to sringara element of culmination with their Lord before coming together in a brief but scintillating finale.

The program took off with young dynamic and support Ankula Aditya on Nattuvangam, Pallavi Prasanna on vocals, Anand Srihari on the mridangam, and Madhusudhan on violin). Beginning with the traditional invocatory hymn “GirijArnava” followed by the quintessential ode “Vani parAku” dedicated to the Goddess Bala Tripura Sundari of the Kuchipudi village, the dancers entered holding the traditional ‘tera’ or ‘curtain’. Each dancer emerged out from behind the curtain gracefully walks to centre stage to enact a sloka dedicated to the character that was being depicted. All five dancers were seated elegantly on the stage after enacting their respective slokas and then moved to centre stage for an freezed group pose thus ending the first scene. Second sequences commenced with an initial English narration of self introduction and each Nayikas presenting two pieces, the pravesha daruvu and a sringara element of culmination with their Lord.

Nayika Rekha Satish opened the praveshas as Lakshmi taken from Ksheera sagara madanam iconic dance drama choreographed by Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam. This piece was fast-paced with quick silver movements, followed by ever green AnnamAcArya keertana “Oka parikoka pari.

SNext Nayika Malyada Anand as Sita entered with much deliberation and grace. While her pravesha depicted the “Mugdha naayika” Sita through the evocative “Nadachi vachchenu naageti chaalu lo”, her follow-up piece “Ayodhya cherina aanandamulo” spoke of Sita’s flash back of her joy filled time with Lord Rama in Ayodhya on her return from exile taken from Ramayanam Dance drama choreographed by Guru Bala Kondala Rao.
Nayika Srividya Angara Sinha appeared as Rukmini next dancing to legendary Guru Sri Vempati Chinna Satyam’s choreography “Taruni Rukmini vachchenamma” taken from the dance drama “Rukmini kalyanam” was presented with high energy and graceful abhinaya in place. This was followed by “Re re manasa gopalam” about Rukmini love and devotion towards Krishna.

Satyabhama, immortalized through the Bhamakalapam dance drama was presented by Nayika Sitalakshmi Prasad, The iconic Kuchipudi character suited her tall build while she danced to Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam’s celebrated choreography. This was followed by yet another piece “SiggAyenOyamma” from the same Bhama kalapam.

The Last Pancha Nayika Deepa Narayanan Sashindran herself donned the role of Draupadi, a choreography of Guru Vempati Ravishankar taken from Agnijyotsna dance drama on Draupadi ,The fast-paced and graceful daruvu was then followed by the beautifully set “Pandenu manasa manugada” .

As soon as the pancha nayikas’ solos came to an end, five dancers took to the stage dancing to raga HamsAnandi. The short and crisp swara coming together with brightly dressed and energetic dancers concluded in a smart choreographic end pose, it was truly an highly elevated visual treat to watch the concept of all roles weaved together on single platform.

A Kuchipudi Parampara Foundation, Bangalore Presentation. Pancha Nayikas ensemble comprised of: Rekha Satish as Lakshmi Maalyada Anand as Sita Srividya Angara as Rukmini Sitalakshmi Prasad as Satyabhama Deepa Narayanan Sashindran as Draupadi. Concept and Direction: Deepa Narayanan Sashindran, Creative director- Rekha Satish Creative Advisory- Bhavanvitha Venkatesh Music Compilation- Vidushi Susheela Live Orchestra : Nattuvangam- Anukula Aditya from Vishakapatnam who is an accomplished Kuchipudi dancer himself and son of Guru Bala Kondala Rao senior disciple of late Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam. Vocal- Pallavi from Bangalore Mridangam- Anand Srihari from Vishakapatnam Son of Guru Bala Kondala Rao Violin- Madhusudan from Bangalore

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