Bhubaneswar: The concluding evening of the 14th edition of two-day-long Bharat Muni Festival 2023, organised by Kalingayana Touryatrikam, witnessed scintillating Mohiniyattam and Kathak presentations at Utkal Rangamanch in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
After the auspicious lighting the lamp ceremony, Bharat Muni Award 2023 was conferred upon noted Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam dancer Padma Bhushan recipient Swapna Sundari by Higher Education Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, who attended as the chief guest.
The first performer of the evening was Madhavi Chandran, an eminent Mohiniyattam dancer from Kerala.
Madhavi learnt the dance from her mother Smt Girija Chandran at the age of four. She then honed her skill under the watchful eyes of Padma Bhushan recipient the Dhananjayans (Vannadil Pudiyaveettil Dhananjayan and Shanta Dhananjayan).
She has performed in many major festivals in India and abroad and won many accolades and awards including Best Mohiniyattam Dancer award from Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai.
She started her presentation with Ganesh Sthuthi. Her depiction of the episode wherein Lord Ganesha doesn’t allow Lord Shiva to enter as he has been asked by his mother who is taking a bath inside was very nice. This kriti is penned by the vetran poet and late sri kavalam narayana Paniker.
Her next item was ‘Yashodhara’. Here, she beautifully portrayed the mental state of Yashodhara, the wife of Gautam Buddha when her husband left the palace leaving her and her son alone in the palace.
Her third item was ‘Niram’. Written by Sri Kavalam Narayana Panikker in Ragam Sindhu Bhairavi this item describes the image of Goddess KALI as in the kolam or kalam, a ritualistic practice in Kerala of drawing the image of the Goddess on the floor. Here, the dancer also depicted Darika Vadham.
She concluded her performance with an Ashtapadi, “Sa Virahe Vanamali” is one of the poignant Ashtapadis composed by Saint Jayadeva in his renowned work, the “Gita Govinda.”
This composition reflects the intense longing and separation experienced by Radha in the absence of her beloved Lord Krishna, who is referred to as “Vanamali” – the one adorned with a garland of forest flowers. The verses beautifully express the emotional turmoil and deep yearning for union, portraying the divine love story between Radha and Krishna with intricate poetic imagery.
“Sa Virahe Vanamali” captures the essence of the soul’s yearning for spiritual connection and has been revered for Its emotional depth and devotional fervor.
In the second segment of the evening, Kathak recitals by Arti Singh and group left the audience mesmerized.
Their first presentation was ‘Shiv Panchakshar’. They followed it up with Taal Dhamal, Thumri and Tarana. Excellent body movements and brilliant synchronisation and space management was the mainstay of the performances.
Dr Mrutyunjay Rath was the anchor of the evening.
