Satyabhama is the second most important wife of the God Krishna. The second wife of Krishna, the avatar of the god Vishnu, Satyabhama is believed to be an avatar of Lakshmi, the Goddess of power. Sathyabhama, having undergone a lot of suffering in her previous mortal life on earth, sought refuge in Vaikuntha, Vishnu’s abode after her death. She does relentless service to Lord Vishnu as his care-taker. Vishnu promises to take her as his wife in the next re-birth and assured a happy life. So in Krishnavatara, when Satyabhama is re-born as the daughter of Satrajit, she is given in marriage to Krishna, Vishnu’s avatara. In later day Vaishnavite writings, Sathyabama is said to be re-born as Vishnupriya Devi.

The 5rd edition of a two-day Satyabhama Yuva Nrityotsav

Indian art forms which broke continental barriers have once again proved their mettle. Sathyabhama Nrithyotsav – 2017 organised by Nataraj Music and Dance Academy (NMDA) under the supervision of BR Vikram Kumar (Bathina Vikram Goud), founder president of NMDA and editor-in-chief of The Dance India magazine, had a scintillating start on 14 July at Kalabharathi Auditorium. Guests Padma Bhushan awardee Dr Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad, Sudagani Ravi Shankar Narayan, IRS, Vikram Kumar and artistes began the festival with a lamp lighting ceremony. On the occasion, Vikram Kumar stated that they have established the festival 5 years ago to protect Indian art forms across the world. Though many internationally renowned artistes have applied to perform at the festival, the efficient festival committee, taking various parameters into consideration has selected 27 artistes for the 2017 edition of the festival. Based on the ability and level of the participating artistes, they would be awarded Natya Manjari, Natya

Scintillating Sathyabhama Nrithyotsav 2017 Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Mohiniattam performances proved to be a visual treat

Text and Pics: Paul Spurgeon Nicodemus Krutika, Sathyabhama, Natya Ratnakara titles every day. Day 1 witnessed seven delightful performances by Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam and Kathak artistes.

Sticking to the academy’s tradition of encouraging local talent young Kuchipudi artiste Manasi from Visakhapatnam began the proceeding with Annamacharya’s poetry ‘Vachene Alluvelu Manga…’ in

Hindoloni raga set to aadi tala. Later, artistes of Indrani Dance Academy from Malaysia presented a Bharatanatyam piece ‘Thillana’ in Natabhairavi raga set to aadi tala. The gathered audience thoroughly enjoyed the performance and appreciated the artistes with their resounding applause. As a third performance Pallavi Parag Mhaiskar, a Kathak artiste form Thane, presented Thal Bhasat and Guru Stuti praising the power of Durga and concluded her performance on a high. It was followed up by a soulful performance by S Geeta Narayan who is under the tutelage of KV Lakshmi, principal of NMDA. She performed Bhamakalapam, created by Sindendra Yogi, the originator of Kuchipudi in the 15th Century and composed by Padma Bhushan awardee Vempati Chinna Satyam. Bharatanatyam artiste Kabita Kar from Kolkata performed Kubera Koutvam and Padam much to the delight of the audience. The next performance, praising Lord Ram penned by Rajinikantha Rao and Krishna Sastry was brilliantly performed by Kuchipudi artiste Sanjana from Vizag. Another Kuchipudi artiste Somnath Bharadwaj from Anantapuram in Andhra Pradesh presented the composition of Patnam Siva Bhaskar in Kamboji raga set to Misrachapu tala.

Indian classical dance fever reached its peak and enthralled the audience on day two of the festival. The chief guest for the evening J Govind Swami, executive director of BHEL, Visakhapatnam, along with the organisers and artistes began the proceedings on day two by lighting a lamp. The second day of the festival saw Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam and Kathak performances.

Bharatanatyam artiste Rashmi Raut Jaiswal from New Delhi began the proceedings with her romantic abhinaya piece on Karthikeya and later presented mischiefs of Krishna. Mohiniattam artiste Gopika Prasad from Kerala presented the story about the birth of Karna with communicative abhinaya. Kuchipudi artiste Sarayu Koka from Ireland reflected on the romance of Radha and Krishna in Brindavan and won appreciation from the audience. Bharatanatyam artistes Tvishi Duggal and Gayatri Seth from New Delhi showcased the transformation of Krishna from a mischievous child to the Lord in an artistic way. Kathak artiste Nayanika Ghosh from Gurgaon presented Siva

Vandan reflecting on the inner and outer images of Arthanariswara. Her performance of Taal dhamar pure dance piece captivated everyone. Bharatanatyam group Natyakalpa from New Delhi created ripples with their performance of Siva Kirthanam composed in Hamsadwani raga and Aadi tala. Guru Kiran Subrahmanyam choreographed it. Kuchipudi artiste Dharmaraj VK from Abu Dhabi, Kuchipudi artiste Chandana Kuchipudi from Visakhapatnam and Bharatanatyam artiste Jugnu Kiran Kapadia from Gujarat presented their respective art forms with sheer grace and poise to mesmerise the gathered audience. The evening was a classical treat.

Graceful expressions and rhythmic footwork of Indian classical dances were on full display on day three. Guests Aravindakshan, IRS, joint commissioner of Income Tax, Manoj Kumar, IRS, additional commissioner of Income Tax, Ravi Shankar Narayan, IRS, additional commissioner of Income Tax, Anupama Mohan, Kuchipudi exponent from Kerala, Kashmira Trivedi, Bharatanatyam artiste from Thane along with organisers and artistes began the proceedings on the final day of the festival by lighting a lamp. Based on the expertise and level, participating artistes received Natya Manjari, Natya Krutika, Sathyabhama and Natya Ratnakara titles. The third and final day saw Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam and Kathak performances. On the occasion, Kuchipudi exponent and teacher from Kerala Anupama Mohon was conferred with a ‘Sathyabhama Life Time Achievement Award’.

Bharatanatyam artiste GB Rakshana from Chennai presented a 10-minute piece in Abhogi raga varanam. Kuchipudi artiste Kavya S from Kerala, Bharatanatyam artiste Vidya Sriram from Mumbai, Kuchipudi artsite Sujana K from Visakhapatnam, Kathak artsite Yogini Khanorkar from Hyderabad, Kuchipudi artiste Anil Vettikattiri from Kerala, Kuchipudi artiste Sachita B from Visakhapatnam, Bharatanatyam artiste Shamal Pawar from Mumbai and Kuchipudi artiste Lakshmi V Sreejith from Kerala exhibited pure elegance in their respective art forms and won the hearts of the classical dance aficionados. Narration by Perala Balamurali Krishna added additional flavour to the festival. Over all the festival had positive vibes and would be remembered for a long time to come.