By Dr. Padmavathi Narasimhan
Chiguru Sanje, the annual programme of Vasundhara Performing Arts Centre for the children between 5 and 15 years of age, was celebrated at Jaganmohan Palace on the 25th and 26th of October with grandeur. Two eminent personalities in the field of music and dance — Prof. K. Ramamurthy Rao and Dr. Padmavathi Narasimhan were felicitated on the occasion. The performance of tiny-tots on both days was colourful and satisfying. Compering of the entire programme was also done by kids under 5 years of age, who did their part beautifully with their stuttering words, bringing smiles on the lips of the audience. The evening recital on the first day began with Nrityanjali in Ragamalike and Talamalike by the tiniest of the kids. Krishna Kauthuwam in mohana was presented wherein Krishna’s ‘Kalinga mardana’ was shown. Muttuswami Deekshitar’s good old ‘Himagiri Tanaye Hemalate’ in shuddha Dhanyasi described Devi Parvati in each word. A very rare padavarna in Keeravani, starting with the charana part as is usually done in Vasundhara tradition,‘Parthasarathi Dashavidha Roopa set to Adi tala was choreographed splendidly wherein Krishna’s birth, his lifting of the Govardhana Hill and Rasaleela were shown appealingly. Devaranama ‘Popu Hogona baro’ by Purandara Dasaru was magnificent with each para describing ‘Seeta Kalyana’ from Ramayana, the game of dice between Dharmaraja and Duryodhana from Mahabharata and the Krishna-Rukmini episode from the Bhagavata included in the sanchari. To add spice to the concert, a folk dance ‘Kavadi Chindu’ was also included in praise of Lord Muruga in Tamil. The first day’s programme concluded with ‘Antahpura Geete’ by DVG ‘Enee Mahanandave O Bhamini.’
