Dance of the Divine

Its the annual dance festival at ISKCON from August 17 to 21st and this year it is themed to be - ‘Sri Krishna Shringar’, featuring the five classical dance forms of India that include Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam and Bharatnatyam. Having been a student of classical Bharatanatyam for many long years I would'nt have missed this treat for anything.

The festival this year boasts of having legendary artists of the fame of Bharati Shivaji and her troupe from Centre for Mohiniattam; Pandit Birju Maharaj and his dance school Kalashram; Vempatti Chinna Satyam's Kuchipudi Art Academy; Priyadarshini Govind and Madhavi Mudgal and her troupe from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya.

Among the fortunate to attend the Kathak recital by Pandit Birju Maharaj's troupe, it was an evening to cherish. While I had a secret hope that the legendary maestro himself might give us a performance, it was not to be. But nevertheless he gave such an awe-inspiring introductory speech that it more than made up for him not performing.

Here are a few pictures snapped on my N73.




Pandit Birju Maharaj



Krishna Leela - in Kathak ballet form



An enthralling performance it was.



Adding this pic a lil late - Here is the picture of the Mohiniyattam performance by Bharati Sivaji and Troupe on the last day. Krishna was performed by Mona Ganguly (Saurav Ganguly's sis-in-law) and Radha was portrayed beautifully by her daughter and disciple Vijayalakshmi).