Bengaluru: The Meenakshi Rangamanch auditorium here was suffused with rhythm, devotion and artistic brilliance as Arka Kala Foundation hosted “Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha – An Ode to the Guru Parampara” on August 8.
The day-long festival celebrated the timeless Guru–Shishya tradition through a carefully curated line-up of classical dance performances.
The festival was spread over two sessions- Arka Guru Vandana in the morning and Arka Kala Sambrama in the evening. In the morning session, Bharatanatyam artiste, teacher and choreographer Guru Bhanu Priya Rakesh, founder and artistic director of the Arka Kala Foundation, offered her heartfelt tribute to her mentor Guru Karnataka Kalashree Smt Revathi Narasimahan.
Guru Bhanu Priya, along with 23 disciples of Arka Kala Kuteera and a live orchestra, presented compositions that were closely woven into her years of training under her guru. The musicians who lent a good support were Vid. Balasubramanya Sharma on vocal, Vid. DV Prasanna Kumar on Nattuvangam, Vid. Vidya Shankar N on Mridangam, Vid. HS Venugopal on flute and Vid. Arjun Dinakar on violin.
The students of Natya Niketan also performed, adding another dimension to the celebration of the Guru–Shishya bond. The session concluded with the felicitation of Guru Smt. Revathi Narasimhan.
From the very beginning, the artistes with their excellent abhinaya skills, command over technique and impeccable synchronisation and space management had the art lovers in their thralls. Their assured performances reflected both rigorous training and a deep understanding of the tradition.
The evening session was equally entertaining, featuring two captivating dance presentations. Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Guru Smt. Vyjayanthi Kashi and Prateeksha Kashi presented the Kuchipudi production “Anubandha – The Eternal Bond,” beautifully exploring the profound and enduring relationship between mother and child.
The mother-daughter duo rose to the occasion, drawing thunderous applause from the packed auditorium. Their graceful movements, elegant stage presence and infectious energy left the audience deeply moved and thoroughly entertained.
This was followed by Nritya Choodamani Acharya Smt. Indira Kadambi and the Ambalam Ensemble, who presented the Bharatanatyam production “Varsha Ritu,”.
Through nuanced choreography and evocative movement, the artistes brought alive the myriad moods, colours and emotions of the monsoon. It was a visual and aesthetic treat for both trained and untrained eyes.
Conceived and curated by Guru Bhanu Priya Rakesh, ‘Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha’ brought together gurus, disciples, artistes and rasikas in a celebration rooted in gratitude, reverence, tradition and artistic continuity.
The programme bore the unmistakable stamp of thoughtful curation. Considerable care had gone into shaping a presentation that was aesthetically pleasing without being predictable. The handpicked recitals kept the evening lively and engaging, ensuring that the audience remained glued to their seats from one performance to the next.
In doing so, the festival succeeded not merely in paying homage to the guru, but also in showcasing how the Guru–Shishya Parampara goes on to breathe, evolve and inspire on the contemporary stage.
