Date:24/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2006/02/24/stories/2006022403160300.htm

Back Friday Review Bangalore Chennai and Tamil Nadu Delhi Hyderabad Thiruvananthapuram

More on the epic

GRAND TALE The episode from Mahabharatha was innovative in presentation

Radhika Nandakumar presented an episode from the Mahabharatha, scripted by the Nijaguna Kumarayogi of Shambulinga Kshetra and Shatavadhani R. Ganesh. The music support was by Vidwan R.S. Nandakumar. It was an action-packed theatre production with a few glimpses of nrutta, nrutya and natya components than a fully-choreographed dance drama.

Shadow play used for the marriage scene and the battlefield was impressive. Radhika as Ambe was good in abhinaya. Mridanga support seemed inadequate.

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A team of yoga experts from the United Kingdom had an opportunity to witness the Bharathanatya lecture demonstration. The performances of each syllabi of classical Bharathanatya by Anandaraje Urs and Prathima were impressive. The iconic postures and charies in varnam "Roopamuchusi" (Thodi) showcasing the nayika-nayaka bedas by the artistes was lauded by all. The concluding auspicious "Seethakalyana Vaibhogame" (by Sri Tyagaraja ) was dramatic with relative aharya of Lord Sri Rama and Sita. The young dancers were crisp and agile.

B.S.S. RAO