Guru Hari Rama Murthy and troupe at the performance of Mohini Bhasmasura ballet, Mangalam
CHICAGO: The Cultural Committee of Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Aurora, a southwest Chicago suburb, presented an enthralling evening of dance marking the occasion of Sri Balaji Temple’s Brahmotsavam celebrations. Performances by local dance schools and visiting troupes mesmerized the audience.
Kuchipudi’s traditional repertoire ‘Lingashtakam’ in praise of Lord Shiva was presented with grace and poise by students of Hema Yaddanapudi, artistic director of Lasyam School of Dance. ‘Nrithya Vandanam’ by students of Vijayalakshmi Shetty, artistic director of Natraj Dance Academy, was beautifully rendered with ease.
Sobha Tammana, artistic director of Kuchipudi Natya Vihar and Janaki Anandavalli Nair, artistic director of Aananda Dance Theatre presented a unique Tarangam ‘Maragatha Manimaya Chela’ – as a Guru samarpanam to Padmabhushan Dr.Vempati Chinna Satyam. This vibrant Kuchipudi performance enthralled the audience.
Highlighting the evening was a presentation by Sunadha – a group of visually impaired artists from the cultural troupe of Samarthanam trust. Established a few years ago to encourage talent among visually-impaired and economically marginalized youth, Sunadha artistes went beyond their visual challenges and skillfully performed classical Bharatanatyam and Deepanjali dance with Diyas with beautiful formations.
The grand finale of the evening was a magnificent Classical Kuchipudi dance drama ‘Mohini Bhasmasura’, choreographed by Guru Sri Hari Rama Murthy of Visakhapatnam. The beautiful costumes, sound effects and the scene by scene narration with melodious music glued the audience to the seats. The troupe consisting of artists from India & USA gave a stunning performance. Mohini Bhasmasura is Hari Rama Murthy’s debut choreographed dance drama.
The legend of Mohini-Bhasmasura came alive to the Chicago audience. The well talented, young dancers emancipated the minds of the audience with their skillful Kuchipudi rhythms and their expressions.
Rama Subbaraju, an undergrad engineering student and student of Guru Hari Rama Murthy, came all the way from India and portrayed the dancing rhythms of Lord Shiva and Parvathi protrayed with Sahitya Chodimella that echoed in the hearts of viewers for long.
There were also many young performers who played supporting characters such as Dasavataram dancers, Rakshasa Bhatulu, Pramadha Ganalu which were depicted beautifully. Performers included Sarvani Yellayi, Archita Achanta, Ranjani Murthy, Sindhura Vadlamani, Likhitha Umakanth, Sneha Reddy, Annapurna Vishnubhotla, Sriya Vishnubhotla, Srividya Kakulavarapu, Madhumeeta Sanam, Sahithi Akasapu, Shreya Balusu and Sirisha Yellayi.
This grand ballet was co-sponsored by Telugu Association of Greater Chicago (TAGC), Tri-State Telugu Association (TTA), Natraj Dance Academy and Chicago Telugu Association (CTA). The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Saroja Ravi.
The Chairman of Sri Balaji Temple, Dr Ramaraja B.Yalavarthy, honored and thanked the artists and also commended the dedicated efforts of the Balaji Temple Cultural committee in bringing forth such high quality presentations to Chicago art lovers.
SURI SWAMY
