Date:27/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2006/01/27/stories/2006012701380200.htm

Back Entertainment Bangalore Chennai and Tamil Nadu Delhi Hyderabad Thiruvananthapuram

Felicitous charm and grace

A. RAMALINGA SASTRY

Scintillating footwork with meaningful `mudra' and empathetic `abhinaya' marked the Kuchipudi recitals.

RHYTHM TIME Students of Kuchipudi Kalakshetra put up a performance PHOTO: C.V. SUBRAHMANYAM

Students and staff of the local Kuchipudi Kalakshetra, an offshoot of Vempati's Kuchipudi Art Academy at Chennai , organised a recital of dances in the tradition in VUDA Children Theatre on January 19(Pushya Bahula Panchami).

Befittingly enough, it got off to an evocative start with Sri Ganapathine of Thyagaraja (Sourashtra).

Subbaraju, Kaavya and Swarnalatha presented the item. Next followed Naaraayaneeyam by Kiranmayi, Bharathi and Santhi, Koluvaithiva Rangasayi (a daruvu from the dance ballet Vipranaarayana) by Sulakshana, Swetha, Kalyani, Anuradha, Sraddha and Chamundeswari.

The piece de resistance of the evening however was the next item, Naata Pancharatna Krithi of Thyagaraja, Jagadanandakaaraka.

Subba Raju, Bharathi, Shanti, Kriran and Swarnalatha empathetically presenting the item achieved perfect balance of nritta, nritya and naatya with felicitous charm and lithe grace.

Then after a jathiswaram followed by Sivashtakam, the recital concluded with yet another composition of Thyagaraja, Gandhamu pooyaruga from Naukacharitam.

Splendid choreography and its perfect execution with scintillating foot work, meaningful mudra, picturesque posture, empathetic abhinaya and vibrant movement marked the entire show.

The back drop of music had invigorating nattuvangam by Naatyacharya Hari Rama Murthy in the excellent company on mridangam by Kanthilal, Sai Savitri (vocals), A. Satyavishal (violin) and T. Atchuta Rao (flute).