Tamrapatra, a unique classical dance based on the exquisite poetry of Annamacharya, to be presented by 5 leading dancers, at Ravindra Bharati
Hyderabad: Tamrapatra Live – was a scintillating treat of classical dance, Annamacharya poetry with music set by Hyderabad’s own Late Sathiraju Venumadhav and performed by 5 of India’s leading dancers – Ananda Shankar Jayant, Anupama Kylash, Deepika Reddy, Gopika Varma, and Viabhav Arekar – across the styles of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi & Mohiniattam.
Presented by Ministry of Culture, Govt of India & Shankarananda Kalakshetra in association with the Dept of Culture, Govt of Telangana, Tamrapatra Live was a unique evening of the best of arts and artists, taking the audience on a surreal journey of Sringara.
Ananda Shankar Jayant, has been doing yeoman service in promoting the classical arta over the years, such as her many dance productions, Kutty Kahani that was mentioned in PM’s Mann ki Baat, and this series Tamrapatra that was originally a yearlong online series of teaching rare Annamacharya Sankeerthanas, that was learnt by hundreds of dancers across the globe
Yesterday the evening opened with all five dancers coming together to pay obeisance to Saint Annamacharaya. Th evening then flowed into a pognant mood when Mumbai dancer Vaibhav Arekar embodied Krishna the Statesman, reminiscences about the last moments between Him and Radha when He left Brindavan for Mathura.
Krishna’s beloved Radha came alive in Gopika Verma’s portrayal of a Radha in the swaying and graceful Mohiniattam dance style.
Radha too remembers Krishna and their moments of intimacy in this rare Sanskrit Sankeerthana
The evening then shifted to Alamelumanga and Sri Venkateswara – With Kuchipudi danseuse and Guru Deepika Reddy in her inimitable style picturised Annamacharya’s poem that captures the inherent equality between the Goddess and Venkateswara. Adding interesting nuances Deepika Reddy also shared that Annmayya was the original Feminist!
For he found them bothe equal in every way
Next dancer scholar Anupama Kylash, donned the role of Alamelumanga who is pining for Her Lord. Known for her exquisite abhinaya nd layered interpretation Anupama, added many textures and colours to the beautiful sankeerthana, as she took the audience into the inner thoughts of the Goddess
Renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Ananda Shankar Jayant, brought the emotions and expressions laden to a close when she took the audience in a sprightly and playful yet meaning laden Sankeerthana that described the union of Alamelumanga and Venkateswara. The Poet says ‘ O Venkateswara every nuance of the Goddess is the change in season for you !’ Ananda in her strong style and nuanced abhinaya, brought the divine pair alive.
