Scintillating weekend performances

The usual weekend cultural programmes at Shilparamam started off with Aparna Sastry's Bharatanatyam performance. First was an invocatory Krithi on Ganapathi."Adenamma Harudu" incorporating Panini Sutra vividly depicted the dance of Lord Nataraja. A Kshetrayya Padam in Ragamalika was stunningly done despite its challenging interweaving of three types of Nayikas.

She finished with a vibrant Krishna Tandavam in Gambhira Nata Raagam. Rashmi Sachidananda's Bharatanatyam recital was next. She started with Annamacharya Keertana, "Vande Vasudevam" in Sree Raaga focusing mostly on the "Gajendra Moksham" episode showing the Lord succouring his devotee. It was interesting to watch her choreography of the characters.

Papanasham Sivam's Tamil composition in Keervani showed the story of Devi Meenakshi describing her birth, beauty and wedding to Lord Shiva attended by all the celestials. Lord Vishnu himself performed all the ritual ceremonies. "Mudugare Yashoda" in Kuranji likened Lord Krishna to precious gemstones one by one in fascinating detail.

For example, he shines like a ruby (Manikyam) and is as strong as a diamond (Vajram). The last item was Subramanya Kauthvam on Lord Kartikeya describing his consorts and his slaying of the demon Tarakasura. Sunday had two performances. Yudhajit Roy commenced his Hindustani vocal classical music recital with a melodious Raag Bhoopali followed by Vilambit Ektaal, Drut Tintaal and Tarana.

Next presentation was Chaturang followed by Raaga Mian Ki Mallhar which was very soulful and concluded with a Dadra followed by Raag Mishra Gara. He was accompanied on tabla by Sanjay Ranjan Pal, a disciple of Pandit Shyamol Bose and Pandit Abhijeet Banerjee and on Surmandal, Master Addhyatmajit Roy accompanied him. Soumita Roy started her Bharatanatyam dance recital with a Pushpanjali on Lord Ganesha in Ragam Nattai followed by Sankeerna Alarippu.

This piece has been choreographed by Prof. CV Chandrasekhar. Her next piece was in praise of Goddess Durga, beginning with Ya Chandi in Raag Malkosh followed by Slokam Amba Mohini in Ragam Mohanam and Ashta Bhujeswari in Ragam Ananda Bhairavi. Next is a Keertanam on Lord Ganesha,composed by Dr M Balamurali Krishna set to Ragaam Hamsadwani.

Next piece is Tillana set to Ragam Vrindabani Sarang composed also by Dr M Balamurali Krishna. Soumita concluded with Bhavani Dayani in Raag Bhairavi, which is a Jugalbandi piece with Yudhajit on the vocal support and Sanjay Ranjan Pal on Tabla. This totally enthralled the audience who listened to the vocal music in the cool ambience of the open air amphitheatre enjoying the pleasant weather.