Program for Kalpana 2019
1. Triumph of Spring Presented by Madhuri Kishore School of Kuchipudi Composer - Swetha Prasad Talam - Adi Ragam - Ragamalika Choreography – Madhuri Kishore in collaboration with her students. This dance describes the celebration of the spring season. While nature celebrates spring with the blossoming of flowers and animals dancing with new joy the gopikas celebrate spring by playing Holi with Krishna. The quintessence of Kuchipudi technique meets the triumphant mood of spring in this dance presentation. Dancers: Nikita Karra, Anjali Thontakudi, Yesasvi Punugunti, SriLakshmi Panda, Aarya Prabhakar, Niyati Mummidivarapu
2. Nrityaswaram Presented by Subashini Rajagopal, Bharatanatyam Composer - Tanjore Quartet Ragam – Ragamalika Talam – Misrachapu Choreography - Subashini Rajagopal This song celebrates the seasons through festivals. Pongal – Harvest festival, Holi – the festival of colors, Chithirai Thiruvizha – the celebration of spring itself are some of the festivities that the dancers traverse through using the musical meanders offered by this Jathiswaram. These festivals are celebrated in different societies and cultures in India to welcome the onset of the seasons. Dancers: Subhashini, Reeba Alex, Seetha Apartim, Becky Alex, Jeevika Adda, Ilavardhini, Rashmika, Sruthi
3. Smriti Presented by Nritanjali Dance Academy, Mohiniattam Composer – Gur Madurai R Muralidharan , Shri Sharreth Choreography - Athira Pratap with guidance from Bindu Pratap Smriti takes us on a journey back to the ancient cherished traditions and celebrations of Kerala’s very own Thirvathira Festival celebrated during the Malayalam month of Dhanu between December and January. Dancers: Arya Pratap, Malu , Siyona, Diya, Hita, Amy, Meghna, Tina
4. Vasantham Presented by Nrityalayadarpan School of Dance, Bharatanatyam Text and lyrics – RituSamharam by MahaKavi Kalidasa Music composition - Sri. K. Venkateshwaran Ragam - Ragamalika Talam- Adi Choreography - Team Vasantham with inputs from Vinay Srinivasan and Nandini Ravi. In this beautiful mythological story Vasantham, spring, teaches the god of love, Manmatha, to fall in love all over again with his beloved Rathi. As they instill love in the plants, flowers, animals around them they see that a flower transforms itself into a beautiful, enchanting woman. Vasantha helps Manmatha recognize that it is, in fact,Rathi--she is Prakriti (nature) itself--she is everywhere. Manmatha and Rathi reunite in passionate love. They dance merrily, and with Vasantha, spread the fragrance of love to all beings. Dancers: Sudha Krishnan, Anamica Srinivasaraghavan, Dishaa Ramesh.
5. Harmony of Seasons Performed by Natyalaya Kuchipudi School of Dance and Nrityananda Dance, Kuchipudi Composer - Anoushka Shankar, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt Ragam - Jog Talam - Adi Choreographer - Collaborative work by all participants Myths reveal to us stories of origin. Here is a lovely myth that is found with its own regional flavor across many cultures, especially in parts of Europe that explain the harmony of the seasons. As the spring season commences, men and women are seen enjoying bountiful harvests and perfect weather. This nurturing mood unravels a bond of love between the Princess of spring and the King of winter. When the King of winter takes the Princess of spring with him, Earth is dawned with a sudden winter. Crops die, animals freeze, and the mood sinks to solemnity. This dance depicts the compromise of winter and spring, where in the end neither side wins but rather they coexist. Dancers: Meena Vemuri, Anjali Vemuri, Savita Sastry, Krishna Kurra, Neha Kidambi, Vedya Spurthi Konda, Saisamkalpa Mantrala
6. Varsha, an ode to the rain goddess Performed by Samudra Dance Creations, Bharatanatyam Music arrangement : Snigdha Venkataramani Choreography : Jyotsna Vaidee This piece explores an ancient Sanskrit verse from the Valmiki Ramayana that beautifully describes how the sun's Rays absorbs the ocean water to create clouds that then give birth to life's elixir, Rain! This is followed by the beautiful Muthuswamy Dikshtar Kriti, which he is believed to have sung when the district of Tirunelveli district was in drought and yearned for water. The words - "Varshaya, Varshaya, Varshaya" is the popular refrain associated with the song when he beseeches goddess Bhavani to bring down rain. Dancers: Aishwarya, Kaavya, Yashodha, Jyotsna
7. Vasanthamritham Performed by Prahelika Rajagopalan and team, Bharatanatyam Concept & Compilation - Dr. Sujatha Mohan Raagam - Raagamalika Taalam - Taalamalika Choreography - Prahelika Rajagopalan Vasanthamritham, a collaboration between dancers, welcomes Spring. The earth is an important player in the onset of spring.Trees sprout tender new leaves, flowers bloom, and grass turn lush and green. Muthuswamy Deekshitar's Panchabootha Stalam strotram venerating mother earth has been chosen to celebrate earth’s role in the onset of Spring. Following this is an excerpt from Kalidasa's Ritusamhara that shares the joy of spring. The rhythmic passages through the dances have been used to convey the joy and exuberance of the spring season. Dancers: Prahelika Rajagopalan, Sharanyaa Ganesan, Surya Ravi, Hema Arugumugam
8. Ekata Performed by PAMPA Dance Academy, Bharatanatyam and Kathak Composer - Praveen D Rao Ragam - Ragamalika Talam - Talamalika Choreography - Students of PAMPA under the guidance of Guru Nirmala Madhava Whatever differences people have, be it class, culture, religion, color when a calamity strikes, the community finds each other to support and survive. Through a gripping narrative this dance brings forth the power of community. On one end disaster, be it fires, earthquakes, disease does not differentiate. We all bleed, we all suffer and we all feel loss. But from this depth of despair we seek and find humanity. We celebrate our rebirth as one unit bound by compassion. As one we celebrate spring. To further this message this presentation finds synergies between different dance forms to bring forth the power of working together. Dancers: Sandhya Acharya, Deepti Chafekar, Smriti Jayasimha, Rhea Kamath, Suchita Kaundin, Siri Konanoor, Kamakshi Narasimhan, Ashwini Pullur, Antara Rao, Meghana Rao, Shreedevi Rao
9. Jogkauns Tarana Performed by Antara Asthaayi Dance, Kathak Composition - Pandit Chitresh Das Raag – Jogkauns Taal – Teen Taal Choreography – Originally by Pandit Chitresh Das. Antara Bhardwaj has reworked part of it to align this piece with our present theme of seasons. Pandit Chitresh Das's ‘Jogkauns Tarana’ is a highly technical piece, replete with lightning fast footwork and crisp pirouettes. For this special performance, a part of the original choreography has been reworked to bring in the elements of nature & seasons. The piece cleverly works through Kathak technique to bring forth the mood of the seasons. The ‘Tayari’ or technique and ‘Layakari’ or the ability to play with beats has been used to work the rhythm of rain and thunder. The ‘Khoobsurti’ or beauty and ‘Nazakat’ or delicacy has been invoked to show the picturesqueness of spring. Dancers: Ojaswee Chaudhary, Suhani Chaudhary, Sana Indap, Shreeya Indap
Intermission
10. Surya Presented by Laya Dhwani School of Dance and Music, Bharatanatyam Music Composition - Guru Thanjavur R Kesavan and Dr. S. Vasudevan Iyengar Rhythmic Composition - Guru Thanjavur R Kesavan Ragam - Vasanthi Talam - Misra Chapu/Chaturasra Ekam Choreography - Snigdha Venkataramani This presentation is based on Surya - the Sun God. He is the Source of all life. The summer season is where the sun’s power is displayed in full. Snow caps melt from the mountains thereby flooding rivers, lakes and seas. The body is more active due to the longer days. The warm healing rays of the sun in the early mornings of summer help in regaining the energy consumed during the winter seasons. In the summer months, the flowers are fully blossomed and there is light and growth everywhere. The fire element in the sun is dominant in the summer through the scorching rays in the mid morning. These rays may prick through our skin, but help in curing us from any disease and negative energy. The calming evening rays in the summer make us feel rested and serene and get us ready for the next day. The sun is venerated through many rituals across cultures and geographies. Dancers: Ambika Gopalan,Gauri Kaushik, Roshni Srivastava, Anjali Sankar, Anagaa Nathan, Kriti Iyer, Rhea Kalra
11. Vasanta Vallari Presented by Kuchipudi Art Center, Kuchipudi Composer - DSV Sastri Ragam - Raagamalika Talam - Adi Choreography - Sunita Pentakanti Vasantam, or spring, is the season of new beginnings. Vasantam is characterized by blooming flowers, chirping birds, and dancing peacocks, fluttering butterflies. Spring brings with it a scent of pure sweetness. The spring atmosphere, symbolic of hope, growth, and beauty, is perfectly set for a budding romance, as depicted by the rasa kreeda, or dance of Krishna with Gopis. Dancers: Shrita Pendekanti, Eesha Marri, Anisha Rayapudi, Mahati Vurimi, Bhanu Surabhi Upadhyayula, Eesha Challa, Kalyani Veliyaveettil
12. Swaralaya Presented by Nrityaarpana Dance Academy, Bharatanatyam Composer - M S Sukhi Ragam - Ragamalika Talam - Adi Choreography - Roopa Anand
This piece foregrounds rhythm and technique in Bharatanatyam to bring out the essence of the seasons. The increasing intensity of rain that soon turns into a thunderstorm is paralleled by the gradually increasing intensity in rhythm and the dancers corresponding footwork. Soon after, the clouds clear and the sun shines brighter marking the beginning of the king of seasons- SPRING. The joy of new life sprouting and a growing feeling of prosperity is celebrated by humans and animals. The changing seasons are integral for all life on earth to thrive and showcases the eternal cycle of life. Dancers: Adithi Anand, Advika Anand, Alisha Gadaginmath, Sanjana Gadaginmath, Esha Dupuguntla, Srujana Poluri, Sahiti Kadiyala
13. Nivritti, Joy of Spring Presented by Mythri Natyalaya, Bharatanatyam Composer - Anoushka Shankar Ragam - Jog Talam - Adi Choreographers - Anaga, Ananya, Vineeta, Nikhita, Shirni Kanth Spring -It is that time of the year when every field is clothed with grass, and every tree with leaves; and the woods put forth their blossoms. As if the trees are vying with each other- This is the season of the cuckoo and the bee, the mango and the aśok- painted with a fiery palette of the reds, golds, oranges and yellows for its flowers. Vasanta kindles the flame of passion and burns the hearts of those separated from their lovers. The piece draws episodes from the times of Rama (Treta yuga), depicting the joy of Ahalya - where she attains salvation upon reviving her life by the touch of Lord Rama, Krishna (Dwapara yuga)- Raas between Krishna and Gopikas, and present times (Kali Yuga) to bring forth ways in which love and longing play hand in hand with the season of spring through the ages. Dancers: Ananya Sekaran, Vineeta Muvvala, Nikhita Vaddineni, Haripriya Chipiri, Varsha Thennarasu, Harshitha Vijayakumar, Inniya Santhanakrishnan, Shirni Kanth
14. Amirtavarshini Presented by Sanskaar School of Kuchipudi Composition - Mutuswamy Dikhitar Ragam - Amirtavarshini Talam - Adi Choreography - Samidha Satyam This presentation draws from the popular Muthuswamy Dikshitar Kriti - ‘Andamirtakarshini Amirtavarshini.’ The legend goes that his rendition of this song caused thunderous clouds to gather over the sky and rain profusely when there were no rains in village Ettayapuram in Thirunelveli district. This composition has been adapted for Kalpana to exemplify the life giving power of the monsoon season. Friends play and rejoice to welcome this much needed elixir of life. Dancers: Shweta Subraya, Raasi Bommu, Aishwarya Guda, Jasmi Anuganti, Aishwarya Manga, Shravya Kulkarni, Mayukha Sirineni, Anvitha Pillati
15. Seasons: A Depiction by Four Dance Styles Presented as a collaboration of the dancers, Bharathanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Kathak Music - Drawn from various sources Choreography - Collaborative work by all participants This dance explores the four seasons through four different Indian classical dance styles. Each of the seasons is depicted by a different dance style, each convinced of their own superiority. Odissi depicts `Spring, with graceful movements; Bharathanatyam depicts Summer, intertwining exquisite laya and abhinaya; Kathak depicts Fall, with crisp and beautiful steps; Kuchipudi depicts Winter, with creative abhinaya. Though each dancer, thus each season, is proud of their uniqueness they learn to see the beauty in each other’s offering and that they are, after all, truly stronger as one. Dancers: Shruthi Aravindan, Tejaswi Kondapalli, Akruti Desai, Sanika Kamde
16. Saashvatham Soundaryam: The eternal beauty of seasons Presented by Nrithyanivedhan School of Dance, Bharatanatyam Music - Sourced from Ganesh Kumaresh's music albums: Colours of India, Adbuth & Seasons and reworked to align with the theme of ‘Ritu.’
Music editing & mixing - Venkatesh Chathanur. Script written & Voice-overs - Harshitha Venkatesh. Choreography - Bhuvana Venkatesh The seasons vary year after year, ages after ages, yet remain the same in its essence. Nature finds a balance with the ever changing seasons to nurture & nourish every living being on earth.The dancers parallel the beauty of spring to Lord Krishna's Vrindavan , they enjoy the summer heat by engaging themselves in fun activities, feel the cool breeze and rains that autumn brings and and visualize Lord Siva dancing with his consort in the snowy mountains of Himalayas in the purity of the winter snow! Dancers: Nandhitha Venkatesh, Navya Singh, Nila Muthu, Srinidhi Senthil Kumar, Anika Ajay.
17. Ritu Shringaar: Love through the seasons Presented jointly by Sri Vidya Dance School, InSyncKathak and Nirmathi Dance Collaborative Initiative, Different styles Composition - Shri. Lalgudi Jayaraman Ragam - Maand Talam - Adi talam Music adaptation & performance - Jayanthi Kumaresh and Piano Artist Anil Srinivasan Konnakol/Slokam composition - Shri Prakash V Rao, Nikitha Sreekant and Swati Sreenivasen Choreography - Collaborative presentation by the dancers Experiences and expressions of love can be perpetually in a state of transition, continually moving from one season to another. Sometimes we find ourselves intimately in love with total abandon in winter; while other times, we experience springtime with its openness, hope, and celebration. On other occasions, we bask in the warmth of summer having fun and excitement to attract each other. And then comes fall with its anticipation and apprehension. The cycle repeats itself many times throughout our lives, just as the seasons repeat themselves in nature. The pancha bhootas Space, Fire, Air, Water and Earth express themselves through the four seasons. Dancers: Nikitha Sreekant, Swati Sreenivasen, Purvi Rajamn, Anupama Srivastava, Reva Srivastava, Akila Rao
18. Ritu Utsava Presented by Nrityakalya Dance School, Bharatanatyam Composition - Pravin Gokhindi, Ragam - Hemavathi Talam - Adi Concept & Choreography - Senior students with guidance from Janani Narayanan. A joyous dance portraying the seasonal changes in nature and celebrations by mankind. The dancers show how flora and fauna spring into action as seasons change over time. From the cold, frigid winter to the first rays of Sun that bring warmth and springs life into the nature. Hot summer, quickly followed by warm showers of Monsoon presents the different seasons as our Earth revolves around the Mighty Star - The Sun. Dancers: Adeeti.S, Awani.G, Meera.H, Sadhvi.N, Shriya.W, Swati.B, Uma.S
19. Ananda Thillana Presentation by Anupama Mayooranathan and team, Bharatanatyam Composer - Balamuralikrishna, Ragam - Kadanakuthuhalam, Talam - Adi Choreography - Collaborative work by all participants This is a joyous thillana that depicts the happiness one feels during the Spring and Monsoon seasons. There is joy in seeing colorful flowers and smelling their various intoxicating scents. There is happiness in watching the animals prance and dance around as if welcoming spring. Friends enjoy getting dressed and celebrate spring with dance and music. The monsoon season brings with it its share of frolic and fun both in children and adults while they play outdoors in the rain. The dancers find divinity and love in this experience of joy and compare it to the love one feels towards Lord Krishna. The sahityam depicts the love and happiness lord Krishna brings to all. Dancers: Anupama Mayooranathan, Sharmila Gopinathan, Lekshmi Sharath