13th Concert of Aura-Aurangabad by Mahagami Gurukul

Under the Cultural Tourism Initiative of MAHAGAMI GURUKUL, the 13^th concert of Aura-Aurangabad was held on December 3, 2015.  BHARATANATYAM dance presented by ‘Sarfojiraje Bhosale Centre’s’ Artist, Mumbai was greatly appreciated by the audience.

Sarfojiraje Bhosale Centre Artist presented, NATRAJ KAUTUKAM AND TISHRA ALARIPU, in earlier times this composition was only seen in temples. In ancient texts this item has been referred to as KAUTUKA OR KAUTA Sarfoji named it as KAUTAM and has also mentioned which raga it should be sung in. Thus the kautam is not only recited but sung too.

The composition of a kautukam is very interesting. In this a number of bolas and descriptor phrases on praise of the deity are used. Nritta is done on the bolas and abhinaya on the sahiya. In short, the kautukam is a small yet enlightening praise of God. This kautukam was in praise of lord nataraj.

Followed by tishra Alaripu, a dance that makes the beginning of any traditional Bharatanatyam recital, the word Alaripu is derived from a Telugu word meaning blossom. This dance focuses on dancers’ movement which depicts the opening of a flower bud. In this form, the folded hands, seeks the blessings of the god, the gurus, the elders and their spectators.

NATRAJ KAUTUKAM AND TISHRA ALARIPU was followed by JATISWARAM, Jatiswaram is the delicate intertwining of jatis (time-measures) and swarams (melodic notes) and its stylised combination of rhythm and musical harmony. The form and dance conveys no particular meaning, but presents a variety of complicated steps and sculpture-like poses.

Between the dances, there is a stylised walk in the front, side and back, which punctuates the dance. In this particular Jatiswaram, you will see the different forms of Lord Krishna. Next was VARNAM is usually the centre piece of a Bharatanatyam performance that elaborates the Bharatanatyam repertoire. Pieces de resistance with passage of nritya or dance conveying moods through facial expressions are interspersed with pieces of nritta or pure dance. This particular varnam is in praise of Shivaji the king of tanjavur. The virhotkanthita nayika or the heroine who is separated from her lover, questions him-

They also performed MADHURASHTAKAM, Krishna is the sweetest honey we could ever taste, the sweetest ladhu we could ever enjoy and the sweetest icing on the cake we’ve ever crave for. In short He is sweetness personified that we sometimes become selfish not to share Him with others. Sri Vallabhacharya thus describes in this unique Stotra, the Sweetness of Lord Sri Krishna."

Source: Abhinay Deshpande, click4college Specialist