Natya Vedam Kuchipudi Dance Institute conducted a two-day Kuchipudi Utsav at Chowdiah Memorial Hall recently. The beautiful and exemplary classical dance form of Kuchipudi enthralled the audience for nearly three hours on the first day.
Jayaramaraje Urs, Secretary, Department of Kannada Culture and Information and Manoj Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Income Tax, inaugurated the festival. The programme commenced with a solo performance by Achuta Manasa from Hyderabad. She matched her steps to the song Mahaganapathim Manasa Smarami... seeking the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Through fast rhythmic footwork and fluid body movements, Achuta presented a dance on navarasa.
The navarasas were brought forth effectively and the audience wholeheartedly appreciated the performance. Later, she presented another piece from Mahishasuramardini. The performance narrated the story of Durga Matha killing the demon Mahisha.
Ajay Kumar and his team from Vijayawada presented the next performance, which was the life story of Lord Krishna. The seven-member-team selected popular anecdotes from the childhood days of Krishna and performed it an enthralling way.
Infant Krishna’s naughty acts of stealing butter, killing of Pootana, Kalingamardana and Narakasuravadha were enjoyable as well as worth watching. The performance by Ramalinga Shastry from Kuchipudi village succeeded in grabbing the attention of the
viewers.
Vijayashri, who came to watch the performance, was elated.
“After a long time, I have come to see a performance. It’s enthralling and the artistes are very good. I appreciate Manju Barggavee for bringing skillful performers for this festival.Though Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi look similar, there is a vast difference between them, but at the same time both are entertaining,” she says.
The second day saw performances by talented artistes like B Harshini, Ajay Chimudiri and Pasumarti Venkateshwara Sharma.