Talent

I was at Our School’s auditorium at Banashankari 2^nd Stage for a dance concert of my niece Shruthi. As my daughter had ‘ordered’ me in advance that I should take her, I arranged for a driver for my car. Yes, I have a car. But I do not know how to drive in the crowded streets of Bengaluru. I try sometimes to drive it in my residential area, Rajarajeshwarinagar where obviously the number of vehicles are (relatively) less. Of course, my daughter teases that there should be a notice saying Yathiraj is driving, so vacate the roads!!

Well, the via media alternative is hiring a driver. We reached just in time to see a young boy (14 year old Pramukh) playing on his flute. He took up the Varna in Abhogi raga. There was a lovely flow in the sound of the flute. He continued with Bilahari raga. Then he took up the difficult and long one Endaro mahanubhavulu in Sri raga. Charukesi was the next. The finale was a Tillana in Brindavani raga.

The other redeeming feature was the accompaniments. Each of the Mridangam, violin and Morsing player was about 40 years. But in this concert they were the followers of the main flautist who is far too younger than them.  Still, the sabha maryada (Respect of the stage) was maintained by aptly giving support to the young boy. Really a very lovely performance!

Then came the dance program for which I went with my daughter. Shruthi danced with another student, incidentally the sister of the flautist – Prerana. Very interesting dance items were there.

First one was a Poorvaranga vidhi in Hamsadhwani raga. This is a piece composed to dance by the danseuse of Mysore Palace of yesteryears Smt. Venkatalakshamma. With lot of body movements and strict fashion of steps, it gave the audience a glimpse of what is coming next.

The next piece was a confrontation of Chamundi with Mahishasura. The demon gets a boon from Brahma that every drop of blood falling on the earth should produce his clone. Finally the devi ensures not a drop of blood falls on the earth by ensuring each drop of blood is swallowed.

The third item was a competition between Shiva and Parvati – the most famous dancing pair. Shiva invites and entices Parvati for a competiton in Tandava Nrithya. She follows Him to the core. When Shiva realizes that He cannot beat His wife, He lifts His leg upwards, foot towards the sky. Parvati becomes shy and stops dancing.

Really the two girls were outstanding. Prerana was Shiva and Mahishasura in the two pieces and Shruthi was the Devi.

The way they changed from one character to the other like a chameleon was most endearing. The audiences were kept riveted to their seats.

It was so nice to have seen so much talent being exposed on one evening.

Bravo Shruthi, Prerana and Pramukh!