Endearing rendition of Bharatanatyam

Ameya Gnanasaikhya began her foray into Bharatanatyam at the tender age of five. She has been under the tutelage of guru Smitha Madhav and guru Bhargavi Parameswaran at Varna Arts Academy for the past three and half years.A student of Class VI at Dr K K R Gowtham’s School, she is also a student of vocal music at Varna Arts Academy. Ameya has rendered Bharatanatyam recitals at several prestigious centers across India along with her gurus.

She played key roles in thematic productions choreographed by Smitha. Her Arangetram was held last weekend at the Telugu University Auditorium. The talented youngster's agility during the performance was a marvel to behold.The first item was " Pari Pari Nee Padame" by Balamuralikrishna in HamsadhwaniRaagam. It was suitably an invocation to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.

His sacred feet and compassionate qualities are adored. The Auspicious Visaged One is told that his devotee will never leave him. His dance while playing the Mridangam was well enacted by the artiste whose sprightly gestures shone onstage. A Pancakala Alarippu gave scope for innovative choreographic subtleties in the movements of the limbs or "Bhedas " which were given embellishments by her Guru, who explained the same briefly.

Today amangalam belonging to Bhajana Sampradayam followed in Ragamalika. The lengthy Varnam also in Ragamalika, a Swathi Thirunal composition "Kamalajasya" showing all the various avatars of Lord Vishnu was a test for the young dancer's skill, which she demonstrated effortlessly. She was as bright as a spark in her enactment of the various appropriate poses at the stanza conclusions in this melodious item.

Meenakshi Pancharatnam gave scope for an elegant depiction of the Goddess with the Parrot perched on her shoulder. Ameya looked graceful in a lovely green costume in keeping with the character. Tillana in Hamsanandi was by Chitravina Ravikiran, it was a brisk composition in praise of Lord Parthasarathi. A Mangalam in Saurashtra by Kavi Kunjara Bharati, a part of Azhagar Kuruvanji concluded the Arangetram, which was well appreciated by all present. Mamidi Harikrishna, Director, Department of Language and Culture was the Chief Guest.

-Anna Rao