AN ODE TO SHIVA
This Maha Shivratri dance recital in the Capital, with performances by eminent artists, celebrates the ‘creator of dance’
The Maha Shivaratri, or the Great Night of Shiva is here, and so are the Reddys, with the second edition of their Maha Shivaratri recital in the Capital.
The festive night will see a solo performance by dancer Bhavana Reddy — daughter of the celebrated Kuchipudi dancer trio — Raja, Radha, and Kaushalya Reddy, along with performances by folk artist Malini Awasthi, Carnatic vocalist OS Arun, Kathak duo Nalini and Kamalini, a Bharatnatyam performance by Parshwanath S Upadhye, and Dhrupad vocal by F Wasifuddin Dagar.
“Last year, my sister and I performed Shivleela, a popular and old choreography by my parents, Radha Raja Reddy. This year, I will present a solo dance on Navrasa, the nine emotions of Shiva and the Karanas,” shares Bhavana.
“On the night of Shivaratri, we dedicate ourselves to Shiva, the creator of dance and yoga. Whatever we have achieved is because of his blessings. It’s natural for a dancer to pray to him who is known as the cosmic dancer. Hence, the celebration is to seek more of his blessings,” says Kaushalya Reddy, Kuchipudi dancer, and Raja Reddy’s second wife.
Unlike the annual Parampara series, this program is a combination of maestros and outstanding young artists. The celebration will carry on till late into the night. There will be a felicitation for those with notable contribution to the performing arts. “This time, the ‘samman’ (honour) will be given to dancer Yamini Krishnamurthy for her works in the field of Bharatanatyam, to Uma Sharma for Kathak, and Gurcharan Singh Channi for theatre,” Kaushalya informs.