Kathak exponents spell magic at Kalagram

SD Sharma

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Chandigarh, October 30

Dancing straight to the hearts of the audience, the young Jaipur gharana Kathak maestros pair of Abhimanyu Lal and his life and dance partner Vidha Lal, lead dancers of Delhi-based guru Geetanjali Lal troupe, spelt magic with a superlative dance performance on the seventh day of the NZCC National Classical Dance Festival at Kalagram here on Tuesday.

The troupe with eight consummate Kathak dance prodigies created a devotional aura through opening invocatory bandish “Bho Shambo” in raga Bairagi but in style by seven dancers.

They described the elements of Shiv Shakti during the performance before presenting the next Nritta in specially designed “Andaaz” performed to perfection by Abhimanyu and Vidha Lal, winner of Sangeet Natak akademi’s Bismillah Khan award who had been credited with performing 130 revolutions in one minute, a national record. Both took their turns to sing Prehant and simultaneously interpreting it into dance with agile footwork to denote Uthaan, Torahs and parans amidst applause.

The most romantic composition was “Albela sajan aayo”, a joyous celebration by the Nayikas welcoming their beloved set in raga Ahir bairav. The concluding Taraana composed in raga Darbari was weaved around myths of Radha and Lord Krishna. Dr Charu Handa compeered the programme.

NZCC Director Professor Dr Saubhagya Vardhan and other dignitaries honoured the artistes. The festival will conclude with the presentation of classical dance “Bharatanatyam” by Vani Rajmohan and group from Delhi on Wednesday.