Artist/Artists :Smt Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala

Annamayya The 14th & 15th centuries saw the rise of bhakthi cult throughout India. The movement saw the rise of great saint poets like Annamacharya. Thalapaka Annamayya (1408-1503) was the earliest composer of Telugu kirthanas. He has over 32,000 compositions to his credit of which 14,000 are available, engraved on copper plates. Parvathi Ravi Ghantasalaãs Ballet Annamayya, which comprises three scenes has not only captured the lyrical beauty of the compositions of this great poet but is also a visualization of his life.

Kalaimamani Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala

Smt Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala, an acclaimed danseuse, hails from a family of connoisseurs of fine arts. Her artistic talents have been enriched over three decades of experience as dancer, choreographer, teacher, etc. Her inimitable abhinaya with exquisite Sanchari Bhavas are emotionally charged and captivating. She is a disciple of Kalaimamani Smt. Krishnakumari Narendran and Padmabhushan Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan.

She has enthralled the audiences with her solo thematic presentations and panoramic dance ballet on devotional themes which reflect her intellectual approach, aesthetic sensibility and quest for the spiritual in art. She is the recipient of several prestigious awards and titles. She is the daughter-in-law of the legendary singer Padmashri Ghantasala Venkateshwara Rao.

Credits

Concept :Honãble Justice K.S. Bakthavatsalam
Music :Kalaimamani L. Vaidyanathan, Prof. Pasupathi
Choreography :Kalaimamani Smt. Krishnakumari Narendran
Audio Recording :Sangeetha Studio
Video Recording :Utsav Music
Production Co-ordinator :Mohinder R. Ghantasala
Produced by :KALA PRADARSHINI Trust

US $ 9.95

Artist/Artists :V.P.Dhananjayan

The characters of the Mahaabhaaratam have a timeless appeal. The 13th edition of Narada Gana Sabha Trust’s Natyarangam festival annual Chennai event re-creates important episodes from Vyasa’s epic

Naatyaachaarya Sri V.P. Dhananjayan presents "Bheeshmaachaarya", on the Mahaabhaarata's grandfather figure. Major incidents from Bheeshma's life are narrated through flashbacks by his grief-stricken mother, Ganga. She describes her son's death at the hands of the effeminate Sikhandi during the Kurukshetra War, then segues into his birth, upbringing, and "unthinkable" vow that earns him the name "Bheeshma" from the gods. Dhananjayan uses subtle and neat satvika abhinaya in this cohesive presentation.

Episode One : After the opening Nritta-samaaraadhana in the raga Gangalahari, mother Ganga emerges from the waters with tears in her eyes to receive the oblations from the remaining Pandavas who are submerging her formidable son’s ashes and are performing the last rites. She wonders with pride and pain, “an invincible warrior extraordinaire felled by an effeminate Shikhandi, a wrath unreasonably cast on him”

Episode Two : On the birth of Devavrata: Breaking the promise given to Ganga, King Santanu stops her from throwing their eighth child into the water. But as promised to the king at this time, Ganga brings back the boy after equipping him with all scriptural studies and the art of warfare from the indomitable Parasurama.

Episode Three : Knowing the cause of his father’s depression, Devavrata approaches the leader of the fisherfolk (Daasa) and requests him to give his daughter Satyavati in marriage to Santanu. Acceding to the demand of Daasa, Devavrata makes a stunning vow (pratigna) proclaiming his determination to remain celibate all his life, for fulfilling the desire of his father. The celestials proclaim him as “Bhishma” .

Episode Four : Satyavati is brought by Bhishma to Hastinapura to be wedded to Santanu who blesses him with a boon that he would embrace death at his own will.

Ganga’s lamentation : Sri Krishna consoles Ganga that the death of great men are celebrated, for in truth, they are of immortal fame. She then feels comforted as her son has returned to her – to Ganga (the water element).

US $ 12.95