10-day Annual All-India Bhaskar Rao Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan goes off to a colourful start at Tagore Theatre

10-day Annual All-India Bhaskar Rao Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan goes off to a colourful start at Tagore Theatre.

By Ramesh K Dhiman

The 53rd edition of the All-India Bhaskar Rao Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan went off to a colourful start with the soulful strains of violin at the Tagore Theatre here on Friday.

The ten-day long mega festival of classical music and dance, aimed at preserving and propagating the performing arts of India, classical particular, is the much awaited yearly feature in the region like the Hari Vallabh Sangeet Sammelan.

R. C. Mishra, IPS, Director General of Police, Haryana, was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Among others in august presence were Kendra’s Registrar Shobha Koser, Secretary Sajal Koser. Amongst the galaxy of distinguished guests who graced the occasion were Balasaheb Suryavanshi (President), Vishwas Jadhav (Registrar), Sudhakaar Chavan;(Secretary), Dr. Jayant Kulkarni(Advisor) of the Akhil Bhartiya Mandal, Mumbai, besides Meera Mathur from Bhatkhande Sangit Vidyaptih Lucknow.

The programe commenced with a mesmerising musical delight by eminent violin exponent Deepak Pandit, who presented a melodic and soulful recital with his nimble fingers on violin. He began with Raag Kirwani with aalap, jod and captivating jhala. He moved on to present an engaging raagmala up next. He concluded with a Bharavi of Punjab, amidst thunderous applause. He was accompanied by Debajit Patitundi on tabla and Sridar Parthasarathy on Mridangam.

After this soulful recital, Vidushi Rama Vaidyanathan was the next star performer of the evening, who presented a scintillating Bharatnatyam dance earning a huge round of applause for her immaculate footwork. She, along with her troupe, commenced with Pratibondhita which was highly appreciated by the audience.
The troupe presented the first part Tiruvempavai through which they depicted how waking up from your sleep is a metaphor for waking up from the deep slumber of ignorance, thence reaching out to light of the of the supreme consciousness. Music for this segment was composed by Sudha Raghuraman, a name to reckon with on the musical horizon. Then they moved on to present their next powerful recital of Kashi, through which they depicted vivid images of the historic city of Benaras,where every one, who is engaged in an unendijy search for truth, are always welcome. It is a space where one attains the divine bliss.The dance recital concluded with Raas Mandala, abhinaya piece based on heartrending Surdas Bhajan in which they depicted a symbol of unending life and continuity and the Raas Mandala..

The dance troupeboed by her included Pritam Das, Nilav Sen, Shubhamanni, Vaishanavi, Reshvi, Keertana, Rohini Sowmaya. She was was by Sudha Raghuraman on Vocal, Himanshu Srivastava on Nattuvangam , Saniddhi Vaidyanathan on Mridangam, G Raghuraman on flute and lights by Jaya Seal.

In the end all the artistes were honored with a scroll and memento.