Kuchipudi Fest Concludes

It's ended finally, and on a good note, too. This Kuchipudi festival, organized by Sri Vyshnavi Kuchipudi Nritya Kala Niketan, on its concluding evening, featured upcoming dancer Anupama Kailash and an amateur dancer Yella Vijaya Durga. Anupama, who has been working hard on varied theme-based performances, often comes up with mythological stories, especially of the emotive subjects of Radha-Krishna, or the general attitudes and practices of classical and divine couples. Her present solo recital, backed by Anasuya Murthy's song, saw her elaborating such pieces in Javalis and Padas.

In a pure expressional dance, Anupama shows a possessive heroine tackling her lover with a classical grace. Her dance, to the contemporary poem of Bala Murali Krishna in Shanmugapriya Raaga, draws the abstract image of 'Om' from which are believed to sprout the five elements of Nature. Fair and bright looking Anupama easily draws the attention of the audience with her very appearance.

Popular percussionist, Yella Venkateswara Rao, Dean, Telugu University, was one of the chief guests of the evening, and was also witness to his own daughter's recital. This amateur dancer is being 'encouraged' by her family, especially her father, to grow on par with the other dancers. However, it depends on how talented and dedicated one is to come up with genuine substance.

Yella Vijaya Durga staged 'Narayaneeyam' in Raagamalika, a few excerpts from Bhama Kalapam and Dasavataram, all in a routine mode. Praiseworthy are the efforts of the young director, M Dhanraj of Vyshnavi institution, who gathered these solo dancers to participate, once again showcasing the dancers of 'variety'!