Kuchipudi Ballet By Vyjayanthi Kashi & Group

Neeharika Institute Of Dance And Music is organising its annual music & dance festival on 21st, 22nd and 23rd of March, at the Lalitha Kala Thoranam in Public Gardens. The 3-day festival will feature some top musicians in whistle wizard K Siva Prasad, the Hyderabad Sisters, legendary mridangist Dr. Yella Venkateshwara Rao, and dancers in Dr. Alekhya Punjla, Vyjayanthi Kashi and Vedantam Ramalinga Sastry.

Vyjayanthi Kashi and her troupe of disciples from Bangalore will be performing a Kuchipudi dance ballet called Yagna, the second recital of the second day. The ballet is about the lives of three women - Renuka, Sita and Amba - who became the personification of the virtues and values they stood for.

Renuka, the wife of the great sage Jamadagni, had her neck chopped off by her own son Parsurama as ordered by his father. To prove her chastity, Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, had to emerge from fire twice, and after that, she was still deserted in a forest, despite being pregnant. Amba was made to shuttle between the two kings Bhishma and Salva. She loved Salva and was struck by the valor of Bhishma. Both deserted her for their own personal reasons.

This dance drama portrays the strength of character of these women, who have been mere shadows in the lives of celebrated men, "avatara purushas", who have left an indelible mark in the annals of history. The concept of the ballet, the choreography, nattuvangam, direction and dialogue are by Kashi, and the ballet is performed by Kashi, Hithaishy Surendra, Shyla, Nagashri, Yael Tal and Jyothisree, all students of the Shambhavi School Of Dance.

One of India's most respected classical dancers, Kashi is also a choreographer, dance guru, dance therapist, researcher and organizer. After 20 years in the field of dance, and now in her twilight, Kashi remains undaunted, vibrant and committed. She has firmly stamped her arresting presence on the contemporary Kuchipudi scene in an incredibly individualistic and totally personal style.

Kashi is currently preoccupied with her institute Shambhavi School of Dance, established in 1993. It is situated 11km from Bangalore, and is the one and only health spa which uses dance therapy for the emotionally disturbed, depressed, physically handicapped and mentally retarded.

Neeharika Institute Of Dance And Music has been started by Vanaja Uday, a Kuchipudi dancer, teacher and choreographer, in Chikkadpally. The institute teaches several students in the dance form of Kuchipudi. Vanaja is a senior disciple of Dr. Uma Rama Rao, and is a Lecturer in the Department Of Dance at the Telugu University. A renowned Kuchipudi dancer, she has performed all over India, and in USA, Canada, London, South Africa, Malaysia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Please contact Vanaja Uday at 2763-1205/98490-62103 for further details.