Ramayana in all its visual grandeur

A scene from Parishvanga Pattabishekam.  

The epic will be presented by groups of eminent gurus.

The epic Ramayanam was an integral part of the 34th Cleveland Tygaraja Aradhana Festival held early this year. It was presented in six parts – Bala Kandam, Ayodhya Kandam, Aranya Kandam, Kishkinda Kandam, Sundara Kandam and Yuddha Kandam – that included Pattabishekam _ as a two-hour programme, featuring eminent singers and dancers who were all in the age-group of 10 to 25.

The lyrics have been written and composed by stalwarts – Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, N. Ravikaran, Suguna Purushothaman, Neyveli Santhanagopalan and Rukmini Ramani. Choreography is by leading natyacharyas including Savithri Jagannatha Rao, Anitha Guha, Jayanthi Subramaniam, Rhadha and Nartaki Nataraj. These concerts will be featured again in various sabhas in the city. Balakandam will be staged under the guidance of Savithri Jagannatha Rao at Sri Krishna Gana Sabha on December 14, 7.30 p.m. This kandam begins in a joyous mood with the birth of the four children. With girls playing boys the segment includes gurukulam under Vasishta, entry of Vishwamitra into Dasarata’s court, Thataka vatham, Sitakalyanam, appearance of Parasurama and Akalya’s redemption. “I chose this kandam because it involves many important joyous and auspicious moments and also one can see two avatars meet here,” says Ms. Savithri.

Originally written for The Hindu, read more at https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/dance/ramayana-in-all-its-visual-grandeur/article2701268.ece