Date:10/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2006/02/10/stories/2006021001810200.htm

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Colourful fare

P. SURYA RAOP.SURYA RAO

Folk dances and music recitals marked Krishna Mahotsav.

The cultural extravaganza organised in Vijayawada at three venues in connection with annual Krishna Mahotsav evoked a lukewarm response from the public. The three venues were Swarajya Maidan, Kshetrayya Kalakshetram auditorium and the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium. Many sub-standard programmes were chosen by a committee, mostly consisting of non-artistes denying opportunities for those who really deserved.

However, the majority marks were scored by the folk troupes that came from different regions in the state and presented their traditional dances and songs donning colourful costumes and playing age-old instruments.

Some highlights at the Swarajya Maidan were Nancharaiah troupe's Dappula Nrityam from Chittoorpu, Garaga dance by the troupe led by Veeriah, dance drama Veerabhimanyu presented by the troupe of Gorrela Krishna, the Kolatam dance performed by Arunakrishna Mahila Nritya Mandali and the rare and exquisite Jamukula katha rendered by Sundera Rao. Mimicry by Sylvester and Tumburu Katha by Subramanyeswari of Billapadu were also admirable. Ardhanareeswaram, a rustic dance drama was charmingly presented Pullarao's troupe. Gangadhar's magic and talking doll show and Tirupatamma Jeevita Charitra presented by Basavasankara Kala Peetham of Nellore also became added attractions.

At the Kshetraiah Kala Peetham, a closed auditorium, mainly dramas, some dance programmes and music programmes were held. Notable among them were Nartanasala a Kuchipudi dance drama slickly directed by Vedantam Ramalinga Sastri, M.Sudhakar's Endaro Mahanubhavulu a group rendering of keertanas composed by different vaggeyakaras and Bhamakalapam performed excellently by Vedantam Venkatachalapathi. Other highlights were the `snake dance' performed by Paila Venkateswara Rao, Draupadi Swayamvaram, a Harikatha rendered by N. Sambasivarao Bhagavathar, the dance drama Shirdi Saibaba in which Soorapaneni Ramesh Babu played the role of Saibaba superbly and another dance drama Bhagavad Gita presented by Sri Nritya Art Academy.

Srikrishna Tulabharam presented by A. Koteswara Rao's troupe from Tenali, Viluvalu a social drama presented by S. Koteswara Rao's troupe also impressed. The Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium was mainly utilised for staging pop and rock dancing shows, which attracted the college going youth. Among the solo dance programmes, performances of Gita Madhuri and Santisri were of good standard.