27th Annual Pratisthan Day celebrations at Ayyappa Mandir - Goregaon West

http://www.afternoondc.in/film-review/a-feast-of-classical-dance-and-music/article_3723


A feast of classical dance and music
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
By VIJAY SHANKER
AS part of the 27th Annual Pratisthan Day celebrations, the Ayyappa Seva Sangham, Bangur Nagar, Goregoan (W) organised a series of music and dance recitals at the premises of the Ayyappa Temple. Every day visitors would throng to have a feast of classical dance, light and classical music as well. Different dance styles like Bharatanatyam and Kathakali were presented. The artists were felicitated by the temple officials but no remuneration was given to the artists. Since the temple is quite affluent, one wonders why.

Coming to the performances, Sneha Sunil, an ardent disciple of Guru Hema Malini Chari of Nrityangan, was a standout. Sneha is a 9th standard student of Lok Puram Public School in Thane. Blessed with a pleasing personality, Sneha performed selected items from the Bharatanatyam repertoire with ease and precision, commencing with a number in praise of Lord Nataraja. In the Durge number, varied virile and benevolent aspects of the goddess were revealed. In the Dhanyasi Varnam, the composition of Kalasadan Guru Mani, the dancer portrayed the frolics and pranks of the naughty Krishna. Sneha has a natural grasp over expressions. Hence it was a treat to watch her. In the Keertanam, various episodes of Ramayana were depicted incorporating Lord Hanuman. Besides the folk Kavidu Chindu, the attraction of the evening was the special number on the life of Lord Ayyapan, Thulasi Mani Maalai. Here is a dancer one can look out for as she has lot of potential.

On the last day of the festival, the audience was eagerly waiting for the Tala Vadya Kacheri musical programme, led by acclaimed mridangist Satish Krishnamurthy. Satish holds the distinction of participating in several prestigious festivals, both in India and abroad. As a soloist and as an accompanist, he has performed in different countries.

The special guest performer of the musical troupe was the renowned violinist S.V. Ramachandran, who mesmerised the audience with the stringed instrument. Satish has team of percussion musicians, including the mridangam, tabla and the ghatam; the added attraction being the moorsing. Besides carnatic musical compositions being played on the violin, it was exciting for the young musicians to have a rhythmic dialogue between the mridangam, the tabla, the ghatam and the moorsing. The youngest mridangist also recited some of the rhythmic patterns that won instant applause from the audience.

Accomplished Bharatanatyam and Kathak exponent Bhupali Sawant presented her students in different items in the Bharatanatyam style. Guru Bhupali Swant established the Jhanak Nritya Academy with branches in Pune and Mumbai. It was quite exciting for the children to perform as most of them were performing for the first time. The students performed traditional and choreographic numbers that were appreciated by the audience.

On the whole, it was quite a pleasing programme.