The Natyanjali Dance Fests are special. So, as the festivals unfold in Tamil Nadu, VINCENT D' SOUZA, who will be hopping from one fest to another, will file his reports here. The journey, the festival, the sidelights and the people.
From Feb.25 to March 2. Log in every day.

March 1, 2006

We have to make do with a few pooris for breakfast this morning. We aren't complaining. It is 11am and but for the curd rice, sappadu is ready!

The Natyanjali hospitality is very high.

The caterer has been making pooris, chappatis, dhal and salads for artistes from as far as Assam, Orissa and New Delhi. Like we said, this is more than a mere dance fest.

An Israeli couple who stop by to witness the dances, are invited on stage this evening, as Day Four at Chidambaram unfolds, to honour the dancers. And Secretary Sambandam says if the Sangeet Natak Akademi and ICCR agree, we could have artistes from Sri Lanka and Indonesia next year.

   
Shilpa Uttappa

It is a weekday and yet some one thousand gather to witness the performances. Kirti Ramgopal and Shilpa Uttappa, sishyas of guru Padmini Ramachandran of Bangalore, are early on stage.

  
Mythili Prakash

The star of the evening seems to be USA based Mythili Prakash. With her athleticism and precision Bharatanatyam, she wins many rounds of applause. Divyasena brings a 'thirumurai oduvar' along with the accompanists to present what she calls 'pann-Bharatham'.

  
Divyasena & her students

There is buzz and gossip that the Natyanjali sets off. People want to know if onetime south Indian actress Radha (her sister Ambika was also an actress) is going to perform on May 2. She will. People are also unhappy with the manner in which the Dikshitar priests who form the temple committee, have been needling the Natyanjali hosts.

  
Dr. Neena Prasad & her students

The air is still around us today. Dr. Neena Prasad travels with six
dance-students all the way from Thiruvananthapuram, to perform here. At lunchtime, we found them practising in the wedding hall where food is served. Serious Neena!

  
Chaau dancers from Orissa

Thanks to the Sangeet Natak Akademi, people in Tamil Nadu get to witness dances of the north. Chaau dancers from Orissa capture their imagination this evening.

Chennai-based Revathi Ramachandran begins solo and her daughter Manasvini joins her on stage for a fast paced performance.

The duo are breathless when they end and little Manasvini knows she has a lot to learn if she wants to match her mom!

Dr. Mahua Mukherjee has been here before and she and her troupe from Kolkata perform the Gaudiya Nritya perform last. It is 10.50pm when they finish. We are glad we can go back to our rooms early!

Read more...