12th Concert of Aura-Aurangabad at Mahagami Gurukul

Under the Cultural Tourism Initiative of MAHAGAMI GURUKUL, the 12th concert of Aura-Aurangabad was held on November 28, 2015.  BHARATANATYAM dance presented by ‘Kalanilayam’ Artist, Pune was greatly appreciated by the audience.

 ‘Kalanilayam’ Artist presented, Kasturi tilakam this composition tells us about the 8th avataar of lord Vishnu, that is lord Krishna. Kasturi, in Indian mythology, is considered to be a scented element which is only obtained from deer's stomach. Krishna applies a tilak made of this Kasturi. He also wears the Kaustubha Mani.

 Kasturi tilakam was followed by Mallari; it is one of the traditional compositions of Bharatanatyam as earlier people used to sing this composition in royal processions of their temple God. It is performed in 4 speeds unlike other compositions in Bharatanatyam which usually are in 3 speeds.

Next was Jatiswaram, as the name suggests, is composed of jatis and swaras.  The jatis are set to the musical swaras in beautiful blend. It consists of Pallavis, Anupallavis, and the Swaras. 

They presented Abhinaya Pada, on lord Krishna. Krishna nee begane baro, oh Krishna, come to me at once. In this composition, Yashoda by her motherly love requests Krishna, by giving him different reasons, to come to him. The composition also describes about his anklets, earrings, and the famous story of Yashoda and Krishna where she sees the entire universe in his mouth.

They also performed Wada Kanna, Wada Krishna is an Abhinay padam in which Yashoda is calling out and requesting Krishna to come to her. She wants to ask him whether why he troubles all the Gopikas by stealing their clothes, or by breaking the Matkis. Krishna knowing this is running away from her and ignoring her request. Later Krishna explains her that he is a small child, and how can he do all this. The significance of this composition is that it is set to two raagams, Vasanta and Kaafi and two taalams, Rupakam and Tishra Aaditaal.

Govardhan, Govardhan Giridhari, is a beautiful tarangam by Shri Narayana Teertha which describes the courageous incident of Krishna, where he lifts the Govardhan Mountain on his little finger. When the earth was flooded and there was water everywhere, Krishna lifted the mountain and saved the people on earth. This composition describes how Krishna takes care and nourishes the people living in Gokula, and how much he loves different arts.

The performance concluded Tillana, Tillana being a pure nritta composition consists of words like Nom, Tom, and Tanana…. Various tirmanams are set in fast speed which becomes a significant element of such a composition. It also tells us about the flute played by Krishna, and how the Gopikas are attracted to the sound of it.

Next concert under Aura-Aurangabad will be held on 3 Dec, 7.30 pm at Sharangadev Sadan, MAHAGAMI GURUKUL.

Source: Abhinay Deshpande, click4college Specialist