Bhavajan Kumar’s performance was backed by good music
1 year, 1 month ago

Bhavajan Kumar’s performance was backed by good music

The Hindu  

Bhavajan Kumar, disciple of Leela Samson and Jyotsna Narayan, proved himself as a promising Bharatanatyam artiste at the Music Academy’s dance festival. In the padavarnam, ‘Samiyai azhaithodi vaa’, the trikala jathi was unusual — the vilamba kala hardly had any steps, the dancer stayed in the kudichi mettu adavu for many counts, and the tisra section incorporated lots of jumps. The philosophical keerthanam, ‘Nanati baduku natakamu’ was a tough subject to handle, but Bhavajan made a brave attempt. As the programme progressed, Bhavajan’s nritta seemed to lose steam.

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History of this topic

A soulful evening of music, dance, and cultural legacy
1 month, 3 weeks ago

A soulful evening of music, dance, and cultural legacy

Hindustan Times  

It was an evening filled with nostalgia and reverence as Dev Swaranjali 2025 unveiled a soulful celebration of music, dance and legacy at Gyan Bharti School. Geeta Chandran The event began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, setting the stage for an enchanting flute recital by Padma Vibhushan Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia and his troupe. Following this, chief guest Pavan K Varma …

Bharatanatyam dancer K.P. Rakesh unravels the beauty of Jayadeva’s ashtapadi
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Bharatanatyam dancer K.P. Rakesh unravels the beauty of Jayadeva’s ashtapadi

The Hindu  

The ashtapadis of Jayadeva are preferred compositions for dancers across styles. From the delicacy and grace that marked his entry as Krishna in the bower to the melodic strains of the flute by Sujith Naik, Rakesh immersed himself into the character. The gentle manner in which Krishna beseeches Radha to place her feet on his body, caressing it and her …

Young Bharatanatyam artiste Manasa Sriram impresses with her sincere approach
2 months ago

Young Bharatanatyam artiste Manasa Sriram impresses with her sincere approach

The Hindu  

Manasa Sriram, a disciple of Mahalakshmi Ashwin, began her recital at the Pongal Dance Festival 2025 with the invocatory hymn from the Thirumanthiram, ‘Ainthu karathanai’, in praise of Ganesha. She then moved to a Ganesha Alarippu set to Tisra Nadai Adi tala, showcasing the essence of Bharatanatyam’s rhythmic foundation. For the varnam, Manasa chose ‘Swamiyai azhaithu vadi’ by the Thanjavur …

Into the world of apsaras
2 months ago

Into the world of apsaras

The Hindu  

It makes for a vibrant watch when a Bharatanatyam performance is based on the celestial dancers – Rambha, Menaka and Urvashi, and when the artistes’ on stage bring alive the characters. Srekala Bharath and her Thejas School of Performing Arts presented Deva Madhargal, a thematic group performance, at Bharat Kalachar, with music by Rukmini Ramani, daughter of the legendary composer …

Artistes bring a new narrative to classical dance
2 months ago

Artistes bring a new narrative to classical dance

New Indian Express  

If you appreciate the elegance of Bharatanatyam or enjoy watching emerging artistes push the boundaries of tradition, the fourth edition of Jharna, hosted by Bharata Kalanjali, promises to captivate you. Started as a seed from the Shiva Saroja Foundation, providing deserving students an opportunity to perform, it has grown into a platform for emerging artistes to showcase their work, opening …

A tribute to the Bharatanatyam guru who made her mark in Dakshina Kannada
2 months ago

A tribute to the Bharatanatyam guru who made her mark in Dakshina Kannada

The Hindu  

In the late 1970s, the dance scene in Mangaluru was dominated by male gurus, with Jayalakshmi Alva being one of the few exceptions. An exponent of the Pandanallur style of Bharatanatyam, Kamala Bhat deeply rooted in the tradition of the art form, having learned from renowned gurus such as Ullal Mohan Kumar, B.R. As one of guru Ullal Mohan Kumar’s …

When raga Bhairavi meets a Bharatanatyam movement
2 months, 1 week ago

When raga Bhairavi meets a Bharatanatyam movement

The Hindu  

The relentless hustle and clamour that is Margazhi in Chennai, for artistes and audience alike, is equally potent with spaces or moments of stillness and quiet immersion. Curated by Sparsha Arts Foundation, led by Vidhya Subramanian, “Where the music meets the dance”, a session on musicality in dance facilitated by Mavin Khoo and Brindha Manickavasakan, was one such stilling experience. …

With a soul-stirring concert by Kunnakudi Balamurali Krishna, it is curtains for music festival in Madurai
2 months, 2 weeks ago

With a soul-stirring concert by Kunnakudi Balamurali Krishna, it is curtains for music festival in Madurai

The Hindu  

The final day of the 73rd Music and Arts Festival at Sri Sathguru Sangeetha Samajam in Madurai witnessed a soul-stirring concert of Kunnakudi Balamurali Krishna with Bhakthi and Bava, which left audience spellbound. Balamurali commenced with Swati Tirunal’s Varnam ‘Sarasijanabha in Kambhoji,’ offering obeisance to ‘Saraji janabhan.’ He then worshipped Vedaraneswarar through Sri ParvathI Paramesvarau vande in bauli by Dikshidar. …

Adapting Narayana Guru’s verses to Bharatanatyam
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Adapting Narayana Guru’s verses to Bharatanatyam

The Hindu  

The initial reaction when you see Kalavaahini Junior Scholarship awardee, Shobhit Ramesh issurprise. Shobhit opened with verses from ‘Vinayakaashtakam’ in ragamalika, Khanda Chapu tala. The Thanjavur Quartet’s Bhairavi jatiswaram in Misra Chapu, visualised by U.S. Krishna Rao, was taught to Shobhit by Mavin Khoo. His piece de resistance was ‘Kali natakam’, where Narayana Guru speaks of the goddess, It is …

Lalgudi GJR Krishnan and Vijayalakshmi’s showcased the purity of sound at MadRasana’s unamplified concert
2 months, 4 weeks ago

Lalgudi GJR Krishnan and Vijayalakshmi’s showcased the purity of sound at MadRasana’s unamplified concert

The Hindu  

The inaugural concert of MadRasana’s Margazhi series unfolded with a performance by Lalgudi GJR Krishnan and Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi at the M.S. Patnam Subramania Iyer’s Apoorva raga kriti, ‘Srivenkatesha’ in Phalamanjari added vibrancy to the concert by emitting a burst of energy — with brisk melkala tala. In a composition where nadam is described as mooladhara, the inaugural concert fittingly featured …

Nandhini Enthrals Audience with Excellent Renditions
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Nandhini Enthrals Audience with Excellent Renditions

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: The fifth concert of Kalasagaram’s 57th annual festival of music, dance and drama featured an excellent vocal concert by Vidhushi Dr. N. J. Nandhini from Thiruvananthapuram. A beautiful rendition of ‘Begada raga’ alapana enhanced the expectation of a wonderful concert to follow. Nandhini took the line ‘Karuna jesimunukarirajunibrovaledha’ for neraval and kalpana swara pregnant with bhava and mathematical calculation …

Classical music enthralls audience
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Classical music enthralls audience

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad:The third day of Kalasagaram’s 57th annual festival of music, dance and drama featured an electrifying concert by Vidhushis Ranjani and Gayatri. After a wonderful rendition of Ranjani raaga, they presented Thyagaraja’s famous krithi Durmargachara to a jam-packed audience where they chose dharm Atmakadhana dhanya daivamuni. The next came a beautiful Saveri raga alapana with a melodious Muruga Muruga of …

Natya Thoranam unites six classical dance forms
3 months, 4 weeks ago

Natya Thoranam unites six classical dance forms

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: A breathtaking convergence of six Indian classical dance forms enthralled audiences at the “Natya Thoranam” event, organized by Amrita Cultural Trust. Amrita Cultural Trust, founded by Mr. Pagadala Rajesh and Mrs. Bhargavi, along with a distinguished management committee comprising Sita Anand Vaidyam, Revathi Puppala, and Surendranath, organized the event. Shailaja Ramaiyer, along with former IAS officer Shri Thota Chandrasekhar …

Celebrating the land, its sounds and literature
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Celebrating the land, its sounds and literature

The Hindu  

A villupattu recital titled ‘Bhoomiye Saami’ was presented by Bharathi Thirumagan, daughter of villuppaattu exponent Subbu Arumugam, as part of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s ‘Vazhiya Vaiyagam’ series. Bharathi’s son Kalaimagan, a trained classical musician, presented his grandfather’s song — ‘Rama kaavyam, Janaki maayam’. Subbu Arumugam wrote a song ‘Vayale Vaazhgave’ in Nattai raga, using the mettu of the first, third and …

Renowned Violinist and Music Scholar Akella Mallikarjuna Sharma Passes Away
5 months ago

Renowned Violinist and Music Scholar Akella Mallikarjuna Sharma Passes Away

The Hindu  

The passing of celebrated violinist and musicologist Akella Mallikarjuna Sharma leaves an irreplaceable void in the world of Carnatic music. Known for his skillful accompaniment to renowned vocalists, Sharma's contributions to the revival and exploration of Prastara Tala have enriched the field with new insights and perspectives. His dedication to excellence and commitment to purity have inspired countless musicians and …

A Symphony of Emotions: Praveen Kumar's 'Tyagaraja hrt sadana' Takes Center Stage
5 months ago

A Symphony of Emotions: Praveen Kumar's 'Tyagaraja hrt sadana' Takes Center Stage

The Hindu  

A dance performance exploring the emotions in Tygaraja's compositions showcased the aestheticism, imagination, abhinaya, and nritta of Bharatanatyam. The performance, presented by the Chitkala School of Dance, featured a shloka in praise of Tyagaraja and was performed by dancers from Mangaluru. The program included a variety of pieces, including 'Sri Raama Jaya Raama, Shringaara Raama', 'Sogasu jooda tharamaa', and 'Jagadanandakaraka'.

What makes Kshetrayya’s padams a valuable resource for dancers
7 months, 2 weeks ago

What makes Kshetrayya’s padams a valuable resource for dancers

The Hindu  

A legion of composers and poets with a gift of sublime vision and enduring devotion to a chosen deity have breathed aesthetic flavour into compositions that have remained in the popular imagination of pious Indians through the ages. Musicologist, scholar and author Kanakam Devaguptapu recently launched a book Kshetrayya Padams, is an admirable effort to not only translate the original …

Kapaliswarar temple, Mylapore: Vijay Madhavan presents ‘Chaya’ based on Melattur Bhagavata Mela natakam
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Kapaliswarar temple, Mylapore: Vijay Madhavan presents ‘Chaya’ based on Melattur Bhagavata Mela natakam

The Hindu  

The Bhagavata Mela theatre form is a tradition rooted in Puranas or Hindu epics. Vijay Madhavan who formally learnt Bharatanatyam from Chitra Visweswaran trained to become a Bhagavata Mela artiste from a very young age and has been a part of this hallowed tradition for the last 34 years. Naming his solo production ‘Chaya’, Vijay explored the paatra praveshas or …

Niveditha Sankaranarayanan opts for traditional compositions
1 year ago

Niveditha Sankaranarayanan opts for traditional compositions

The Hindu  

For someone who has been actively dancing from a young age, returning to perform after a hiatus would be a cherished moment. Niveditha Sankaranarayanan, a disciple of Srekala Bharath, performed a solo Bharatanatyam recital after a gap of two and a half years, under the auspices of Karthik Fine Arts at Narada Gana Sabha mini hall in Chennai. Niveditha comes …

Bhuvanesh Komkali - “There is no one bigger than the guru. Not even God”
1 year, 1 month ago

Bhuvanesh Komkali - “There is no one bigger than the guru. Not even God”

Hindustan Times  

How does it feel to perform on the ghats by the river Ganga in Varanasi? Hindustani classical singer, Bhuvanesh Komkali performing in Varanasi at the Mahindra Kabira Festival. The credit for establishing a place of respect for the poetry of Kabir in Hindustani classical music goes first and foremost to Kumar Gandharvaji. Interestingly, the Guru also ensures that student’s capacity …

Swarna Rathotsavam marks sixth day of Tirumala brahmotsavam
1 year, 6 months ago

Swarna Rathotsavam marks sixth day of Tirumala brahmotsavam

Deccan Chronicle  

Ananthapur: On the sixth day of the ongoing Srivari Salakatla Brahmotsavam in Tirumala, TTD organised Swarna Rathotsavam on Saturday evening. At least 275 artists from 10 cultural teams of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala made the Hanumantha Vahana Seva grander with exclusive cultural programmes. Similarly, 30 women artists belonging to Sri Bharata Kala academy of Chennai presented Sri Krishna …

A resounding Bilahari by Krithika Natarajan
2 years, 3 months ago

A resounding Bilahari by Krithika Natarajan

The Hindu  

It was Edward Bulwer Lytton who said that ‘Music once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies.’ Our music, in particular, is for the soul. She commenced this recital with a Khamas Dharu varnam, ‘Mathey malayadhwaja pandya sanjathey’ by Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar. After a brief sketch of Sahana, Krithika rendered one of Dikshitar’s Abhayamba Vibhakti …

Music-dance synchrony stood out at Kalakshetra’s Kathakali festival
2 years, 3 months ago

Music-dance synchrony stood out at Kalakshetra’s Kathakali festival

The Hindu  

Kalakshetra’s 13th Kathakali festival ‘Bhava Bhavanam- Rasa Sara’ presented five dance dramas, each a treat. As Kalamandalam Thulasi Kumar pointed out, ‘Kathakali artists use eye and various facial muscles to express different emotions. Isolating facial muscles is key- cheek muscles under the eye, for anger, muscles near the mouth for sadness, movement of the eyebrows for happiness, etc Once the …

An impressive thematic presentation by Rasika Arts Foundation
2 years, 4 months ago

An impressive thematic presentation by Rasika Arts Foundation

The Hindu  

In connection with the 40th anniversary of Noopura Academy of Indian dances, Mangaluru, Sulochana V Bhat had organised a Bharathanatyam performance by students of the Bengaluru-based Rasika Arts Foundation. The nimble footwork, fleeting facial expressions, graceful body language and the beautiful co-ordination among the performers spoke highly of the training they had received from gurus Kiran Subramanyam and Sandhya Kiran. …

Tributes paid to Ravi Shankar, Birju Maharaj
2 years, 11 months ago

Tributes paid to Ravi Shankar, Birju Maharaj

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: The strumming of sitar, the beats of the tabla and the Kathak dance marked a fitting tribute to the legends of Hindustan music dance — Pandit Ravi Shankar and Pandit Birju Maharaj — on Saturday. The US-born Paul Livingstone on the sitar accompanied by Shashanka Bakshi on the tabla performed a combination of the ‘raags’ Jog and Rageshwari in …

Mambalam Sisters’s accent was on aesthetics
3 years, 5 months ago

Mambalam Sisters’s accent was on aesthetics

The Hindu  

Having performed together for long, the Mambalam Sisters, Vijayalakshmi and Chitra, have a perfect understanding of each other’s strengths and individual expertise. In the niraval and kalpanaswara segments in the charanam line ‘Samagana vinodini’, the sisters divided and sang the portions that suited each one’s strengths, with the swarakshara and the occasional panchama varjitha phrases adding beauty. Another notable part …

Vasudha Ravi enlivened the audience with her rendition at a recital in Kerala
5 years, 1 month ago

Vasudha Ravi enlivened the audience with her rendition at a recital in Kerala

The Hindu  

Endowed with a mellifluous voice, Vasudha Ravi captured the attention of the audience with her impressive vocal recital at Palghat Fine Arts Society at Tharekkad, Palakkad. Vasudha’s judicious selections and rendition enhanced the impact of the concert, which commenced on a bright note with a brisk ‘Chalamela Jesavayya’ in Nattakurinji, a varnam of Srirangam Rangaswamy Pillai. Swathi Thirunal’s popular kriti …

Of artistry and virtuosity
5 years, 4 months ago

Of artistry and virtuosity

The Hindu  

​​​Dharani Kalotsav, an annual dance and music festival in Kochi, had a fine line-up of veterans and up-and-coming Bharatanatyam dancers. Sayani Chakraborthy with her firm footwork and dynamic dance language brought a lot of energy into her performance on the second day with the classic Bhairavi padavarnam in Roopaka tala ‘Mohamana en meedil’. Though his raga alapanas took the fast …

Kalakshetra artistes to enthral Modi, Xi Jinping
5 years, 5 months ago

Kalakshetra artistes to enthral Modi, Xi Jinping

Deccan Chronicle  

Chennai: Kalakshetra, the world renowned school of fine arts founded by the legendary Rukmini Devi Arundale in the city, has rehearsed and readied an ensemble of its signature ballets to enthral Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his guest, Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mamallapuram on Friday evening. "The students and gurus of Kalakshetra will present to the dignitaries dance dramas …

'Nrityopahara' in Thiruvananthapuram: Of aesthetics and precision
6 years ago

'Nrityopahara' in Thiruvananthapuram: Of aesthetics and precision

The Hindu  

An ensemble of youthful dancers performing in sync with precision and involvement was the highlight of ‘Nrityopahara’ presented by Ananda Shankar Jayant and her disciples of Sankarananda Kalakshetra. The team began with ‘Surya Namaskar’, a short piece that was choreographed by using verses from the Suryashtaka, which pays homage to the Sun god. The main piece was ‘Devi Upasakam’ showing …

Bharatanatyam, then and now
6 years, 2 months ago

Bharatanatyam, then and now

The Hindu  

Speaking as a practicing artiste, who has inherited that tradition from illustrious gurus, Malavika Sarukkai took a deep look at the art and the changes that has influenced Bharatanatyam. What elevated her morning lec-dem session at The Music Academy on ‘Tradition and change in Bharatanatyam’ was her sincere introspection into the dance’s deeper meaning without merely resorting to words. Stillness …

Confluence of music and rhythm
6 years, 9 months ago

Confluence of music and rhythm

The Hindu  

Celebrated musicians and dancers enthralled the audience at a music and dance festival held as part of the temple festival at Sree Koodalmanikyam Temple, Irinjalakuda. A chaste and appealing exposition of the Dikshitar kriti Sree Parthasarathyna in Sudhadhanyasi and a serene Sahana followed by Jayajaya Raghu Rama, a Swathi Thirunal composition, showcased classicism. Octogenarian Bharathanatyam artiste C.V. Chandrasekhar’s recital began …

Bhagavata Melas remain Thanjavur's pride
7 years, 10 months ago

Bhagavata Melas remain Thanjavur's pride

Deccan Chronicle  

THANJAVUR: The rich tradition of the ‘Bhagavata Mela’ is nurtured by the performance of ‘Bhagavata Mela Natya Natakams’ written by Melattur Venkatarama Sastry at places like Melattur, Saliyamangalam and Theperumanallur in Thanjavur district every year. Keeping in tune with the traditional style, ‘Bhagavata Mela Natya Natakam’ styled ‘Prahalada Charitramu’ was performed in oil lamp lighting at Melattur on Tuesday night. …

Bharatanatyam recital in Delhi: Tanya Saxena’s dance dedicated to Gods
8 years, 8 months ago

Bharatanatyam recital in Delhi: Tanya Saxena’s dance dedicated to Gods

Hindustan Times  

Deities and their tales have for long inspired artists. Bharatanatyam dancer Tanya Saxena’s performance will comprise intense abhinaya and complex dance moves. Read: Meet the IAS officer who doubles up as a noted Bharatanatyam dancer Saxena shares that there will be intense abhinaya and complex dance moves involved. Read: Swara Bhaskar is practising Bharatnatyam again Passionate about the dance form, …

Harshita’s fine ‘abhinaya’
9 years ago

Harshita’s fine ‘abhinaya’

The Hindu  

Harshita, a disciple of Ananda Shankar Jayanth, presented a Bharatanatyam recital at Shilpakala Vedika in Madhapur. Harshita started with the traditional Pushpanjali, followed by ‘Ganesha Vandanam’, a Oothukadu Vankata Kavi composition where he describes Vinayaka as ‘Nartana Ganapathi’. As the pallavi line goes Anandanartana Ganapathi Bhavaye, the devotee’s imagination of Nartana Ganapathi was brought out by Harshita in her presentation. …

Ease of experience showed: Srekala Bharath
9 years, 2 months ago

Ease of experience showed: Srekala Bharath

The Hindu  

The performance of Srekala Bharath, starting with an anjali in Valaji, was a theme-based margam, focussing on lord Muruga. The highlight of the introductory number ‘Shadakshara Kauthuvam’ in Shanmukhapriya, composed by Madurai R. Muralidharan, was a fast-paced nritta piece danced with competence. The sancharis depicting the joys of birds and animals being together and the nayika tortured by Manmatha’s arrows, …

Bhakti — in sur and taal
11 years, 4 months ago

Bhakti — in sur and taal

The Hindu  

From a form, content and performance perspective, Nirgun Naad — which marked Day 3 of The Hindu Friday Review November Fest 2013 — was an attempt to explore and extrapolate an array of intersections that are different in style but whose essence is similar — Sufi, for example, meets bhakti, folk meets classical, North meets South, Sanskrit meets Punjabi, Jaisalmer …

Soaked in devotion
11 years, 5 months ago

Soaked in devotion

The Hindu  

Devotees thronged the Mahaganapathy Kalyana Mandapam, Kalpathy, Palakkad during the 15th edition of the annual bhajanothsavam, which was conducted to commemorate the 120th Jayanthi of Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Sankaracharya. As a prelude to the bhajan festival, ‘Ghana parayanam’, continuous chanting of ‘Ghanam’ - a mode of veda chanting by veda exponents, was held for 28 days. ‘Aandal kalyanam’ by …

Feast of devotional melodies
12 years, 6 months ago

Feast of devotional melodies

The Hindu  

Kalpathy Bhajanotsavam, held to commemorate the jayanthi of Paramacharya Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the 68th Acharya of Kanchi Kamakoti peetam, has become one of the most popular annual events in Palakkad. Led by sisters Shantha and Raji, the members of Suvasini Bhajan Mandali rendered with cohesion a number of devotional songs, bhajans and naamaavalis. Kalpana Venkat, a talented violinist, proved …

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