Rekindling the magic of bygone aura

Warangal: India’s tryst with dance dates back to times immemorial. The Ramappa temple that personifies 13th century architectural elegance of Kakatiyas is touted as the brightest star in the galaxy of medieval temples of the Deccan plateau.

Girding up its loins to showcase the ancient art forms was Gudi Sambaralu (Temple Festivities). It’s an endeavour of the Parampara Foundation to revive art forms in temples to connect people with the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Emphasising the significance of Nrtta Ratnavali, authored by Jayapa Senani, a military general in Kakatiya kingdom, and its cultural legacy and reference in the transformation of dance over the years, a two-day national seminar on Sastra-Prayoga on Nrtta Ratnavali got underway at the Haritha Kakatiya Hotel in Hanamkonda on Wednesday.

The seminar was jointly organised by the Kala Kosha Division of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi and Kakatiya Heritage Trust, Warangal.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Indira Gandhi National Centre of Arts (IGNCA), Ministry of Culture Government of India, HoD of Kala Kosha division, Dr Advaitavadini said that the aim of the seminar is to promote and propagate the ancient art forms. She said: “The very purpose of the Sastra-Prayoga seminar and dance performances are to inculcate the cultural legacy and historical background of the great intangible heritage of Telangana.

This exercise is intended to bring together the performers along with the necessary theoretical background for enhancing their skills. It will also create a lot of enthusiasm among the youth of the region, where Nrtta Ratnavali by Jaya Senapati, the commander in chief of elephant army of Kakatiya dynasty, has evolved. It’s a great opportunity for local artistes, who have been patronising some of the art forms like Perini Shiva Tandavam, Andhra Nrityam etc.”

Dr John Guy, Senior Curator, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, who dwelt at length on ‘Intersection of temple dance traditions and temple schema’, explained the devadasi culture and tradition in reference to the architecture of temples in Chidambaram. He said the natya sastra and the shilpa sastra had a strong connection starting all the way since the 4th century until the Vijayanagara era.

Former director of archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu, Dr R Nagaswamy explained how the sculptures of danseuses in temples helped in the evolution of the natya sastra. Warangal Urban District Collector Prashant Jeevan Patil said that the organisers’ endeavour to revive the splendid art and culture of Warangal city is a notable service. Later in the evening, several noted artistes like Deepthi Omchery, Vidya Shimladka including the local artistes performed classical dances at the historic 1000 Pillar temple.