Review of Dance-drama “Shri Shankaracharitamruta” presented by
Keshava Nritya Shala – Bangalore.
Bangalore has been a city of variety & plenitude when it comes to showcase of
performing arts. The city is indeed a home to several established artists of dance,
music and theater. The beautiful blend of modern & classical found in the city
speaks volumes about the creative souls that breath within.
The events calendar of various sites & newspapers are usually flooded with
information which appeals the mass that savor the taste of aesthetics of
performing arts.
Taking about the end of March which on Saturday 26th 2011 at Ravindra
Kalakshetra saw a unique dance-drama titled “Sri Shankaracharitamruta”
presented by Keshava Nritya Shala - 62 yrs old (one of the oldest institution in
Bangalore founded by Late Guru H.R. Keshava Murthy) hosted by Guru B.K.
ShaymPrakash & members of KNS.
This dance drama based on Bharatanatyam style, was a novella for the audience
since it was a unique blend of philosophy & spirituality pressented well on stage.
The life history of Shri Shankaracharya - A theme quite difficult & challenging
was crafted very well by the Director Guru B.K.Shyam Prakash (Bharatanatyam
exponent & Principal of Keshava college of Dance & Music, ISRO)
The dance –drama balanced very well between the storyline of the great saint as
well as the need of well trained dancers presenting relating dances supporting
the ballet. Within a span of 120 minutes, the dance-drama qualified to depict
important episodes from the life of Sri Shankaracharya.
Episodes such as the birth of Sri Shankaracharya – His thread ceremony –
His childhood - decision of choosing to become a saint – Taking lessons from
his Guru - Kanakadhara episode – Preaching at Badri – Establishing Matt at
Shringeri – visiting Varanasi etc were some important & acclaiming scenes in the
said dance-drama.
Amongst all, the group dance in which the dancers dance to celebrate the joy
of the birth of Shri Shankaracharya was very striking & nicely presented along
with that, amongst all scenes, the scene in which Shri Shankaracharya meets
his guru Shri Govinda Bhagavata Pala – was the most sentimentally touching
& strongly presented scene. The Kanakadhara episode was also very well
received.
Around 20 dancers, well trained and talented along with 3 main roles presented
by: Shri Raghunandan S (as Shankaracharya) Shri Nagesh (As Mandana
Mishra) and Shri Anil (As the teacher of young Shankaracharya) as well as a
young dancer Ms. Padmaja (as the mother of Shankaracharya) spoke volumes of
the talented artists and their in-depth training.
A special mention should be done about a 13 yrs old young Bharatanatyam
dancer Sricharan – student of Raghunandan S who played the young
Shankaracharya & left the audience spell bound with his skills & talent
showcased on stage. Indeed he is a promising artist of the future.
The perfect lights design & support of beautiful projection of slides added
correct support to the dance-drama. The wonderful music, sincerely designed
by talented artists under the research of Guru B.K.ShyamPrakash gave the
dance-drama a charm of spiritual & classical bliss. Apart from 2 senior vocalists,
the other instruments in the music support included flute, mridangam, veena,
cymbals & multi-rhythm pad.
Apt make-up & hair-do for different dancers & characters added a correct tone to
the dance-drama. Richly colored costumes of the dancers brought liveliness on
the stage.
Smt. B.K.Vasanta Lakshmi provided support in the dance- direction & music
composition was by Vidhwan Shri Thirumalaya Shrinivas.
The distinguished guests of the evening included: Padmashri Dr. Mattur
Krishnamurthy – Director “Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan”, Shri Pavagada Prakash
Rao – Eminent speaker & orator of philosophy, Gamaka Vidhwan Dr. A.V.
Prassanna – Secretary Ministry of Education, Dr. Smt. Sukanya Prabhakar –
Eminent vocalist, GanaKala Bhushana – R.K Padmanabha – renowned musician,
Vidhwan R Paramashivan – Eminent musician – Theater songs.
The program saw speeches by the eminent guests on the related topic followed
by the dance-drama. The spectacle was very well received by hugh audience of
over 1,000 at the wonderful & magnanimous Ravindra Kalakshetra – Bangalore
Keshava Nritya Shala – Bangalore.
Bangalore has been a city of variety & plenitude when it comes to showcase of
performing arts. The city is indeed a home to several established artists of dance,
music and theater. The beautiful blend of modern & classical found in the city
speaks volumes about the creative souls that breath within.
The events calendar of various sites & newspapers are usually flooded with
information which appeals the mass that savor the taste of aesthetics of
performing arts.
Taking about the end of March which on Saturday 26th 2011 at Ravindra
Kalakshetra saw a unique dance-drama titled “Sri Shankaracharitamruta”
presented by Keshava Nritya Shala - 62 yrs old (one of the oldest institution in
Bangalore founded by Late Guru H.R. Keshava Murthy) hosted by Guru B.K.
ShaymPrakash & members of KNS.
This dance drama based on Bharatanatyam style, was a novella for the audience
since it was a unique blend of philosophy & spirituality pressented well on stage.
The life history of Shri Shankaracharya - A theme quite difficult & challenging
was crafted very well by the Director Guru B.K.Shyam Prakash (Bharatanatyam
exponent & Principal of Keshava college of Dance & Music, ISRO)
The dance –drama balanced very well between the storyline of the great saint as
well as the need of well trained dancers presenting relating dances supporting
the ballet. Within a span of 120 minutes, the dance-drama qualified to depict
important episodes from the life of Sri Shankaracharya.
Episodes such as the birth of Sri Shankaracharya – His thread ceremony –
His childhood - decision of choosing to become a saint – Taking lessons from
his Guru - Kanakadhara episode – Preaching at Badri – Establishing Matt at
Shringeri – visiting Varanasi etc were some important & acclaiming scenes in the
said dance-drama.
Amongst all, the group dance in which the dancers dance to celebrate the joy
of the birth of Shri Shankaracharya was very striking & nicely presented along
with that, amongst all scenes, the scene in which Shri Shankaracharya meets
his guru Shri Govinda Bhagavata Pala – was the most sentimentally touching
& strongly presented scene. The Kanakadhara episode was also very well
received.
Around 20 dancers, well trained and talented along with 3 main roles presented
by: Shri Raghunandan S (as Shankaracharya) Shri Nagesh (As Mandana
Mishra) and Shri Anil (As the teacher of young Shankaracharya) as well as a
young dancer Ms. Padmaja (as the mother of Shankaracharya) spoke volumes of
the talented artists and their in-depth training.
A special mention should be done about a 13 yrs old young Bharatanatyam
dancer Sricharan – student of Raghunandan S who played the young
Shankaracharya & left the audience spell bound with his skills & talent
showcased on stage. Indeed he is a promising artist of the future.
The perfect lights design & support of beautiful projection of slides added
correct support to the dance-drama. The wonderful music, sincerely designed
by talented artists under the research of Guru B.K.ShyamPrakash gave the
dance-drama a charm of spiritual & classical bliss. Apart from 2 senior vocalists,
the other instruments in the music support included flute, mridangam, veena,
cymbals & multi-rhythm pad.
Apt make-up & hair-do for different dancers & characters added a correct tone to
the dance-drama. Richly colored costumes of the dancers brought liveliness on
the stage.
Smt. B.K.Vasanta Lakshmi provided support in the dance- direction & music
composition was by Vidhwan Shri Thirumalaya Shrinivas.
The distinguished guests of the evening included: Padmashri Dr. Mattur
Krishnamurthy – Director “Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan”, Shri Pavagada Prakash
Rao – Eminent speaker & orator of philosophy, Gamaka Vidhwan Dr. A.V.
Prassanna – Secretary Ministry of Education, Dr. Smt. Sukanya Prabhakar –
Eminent vocalist, GanaKala Bhushana – R.K Padmanabha – renowned musician,
Vidhwan R Paramashivan – Eminent musician – Theater songs.
The program saw speeches by the eminent guests on the related topic followed
by the dance-drama. The spectacle was very well received by hugh audience of
over 1,000 at the wonderful & magnanimous Ravindra Kalakshetra – Bangalore
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