Blended in legend of Krishna, Radha

SD Sharma

Chandigarh, June 23

The third edition of the three-day annual National Dance Festival, organised by the UT Cultural Affairs Department and the Tagore Theatre Society, opened to a majestic start at Tagore Theatre today.

After a formal inauguration by Anurag Aggarwal, Secretary (Home and Culture), accomplished kuchipudi dancers from the Nrithiathi Kalakshetram, Bhilai, led by Dr Ratheesh Babu, created a spiritual aura on the stage through a serene Ganesh vandana before delineating a traditional bandish, “Brahamanjli”.

Translating interactions of Lord Krishna and his divine consort Radha, the dancers presented various legends, including Krishna in pensive a mood, reflected through an ashatpadi, “Malikiyam salta vilokam”, and Radha exhorting him to Jamuna tat in “Chaliye kunjan mor...”. The dancers enacted the Draupadi cheer haran and Gita Updesh, concluding with a crisp brass plate dance, “tarangam”.

The dancers blended ancient ethos with modern sensibility. The vocal recital by Shweta Parkash remained lifeline of it.