Of Public Messages And Demands: Events in Hyderabad

REVIEW FOR OF PUBLIC MESSAGES AND...

A bunch of music recitals, folk dances and classical concerts marked another
evening at the crafts village. Of Ganeshas and Narayanas, of Devis and benedictions,
the music recital, which commenced this evening, had vocalist Vardhani, with her
small troupe hailing from Warangal, in full flight.

After her brief invocation, there was this offbeat ballet, titled "Satya Yuga Sadaswarami". The Kuchipudi dance was pretty much along the expected lines, replete with gestures, Carnatic music and costume, but it was the theme that was offbeat. It carried a message in a most musical manner - a message of peace. The dancers dramatized the theme in specially composed songs, set to Carnatic, classical melodies, which were illustrative of general destructive tendencies for mere selfish motives, and which conveyed the need to strive for peace and unity, and to work towards collective prosperity.

This dance ballet, headed by K Vani Shankar, had over ten dancers and six musicians making a collaborative effort. Later in the evening, on popular demand, the Manipuri dancers appeared again. This seems to be their third performance in the same festival! The dancers from Imphal Performing Art Center, Manipur, chose to render their ethnic dances and percussion ensembles, all pepping up the spirits of the audience, which ran in to thousands.