Kavana S’s Kathak Debut: A Graceful Ode to Tradition and Expression

New Delhi [India], October 13: Recently Ms. Kavana S made her highly anticipated debut as a Kathak artist with a full-fledged recital at the ADA Rangamandira, Bangalore. This performance firmly established her as an accomplished dancer, ready to showcase her mastery and artistic expression in the classical dance form. The recorded Music for the evening was composed by Sri Shankar Shanbhogue and Sri Praveen D Rao and choreographed by Dr Maya Rao and Sri Mysore B Nagaraj.

The evening was structured in three distinct segments. The first began with a composition paying homage to Ma Kali, in celebration of the Navaratri festival. The piece included two evocative anecdotes: one where Kali absorbed every drop of blood the Asura spilled, halting his multiplication and annihilating his evil, and another depicting Shiva’s intervention to calm her fierce steps. The second part of this segment explored the 16-beat cycle, with a composition in Raaga Malika that traversed various forms—Uthaan, Ganesh Vandana, Thaat, Aamadh, and Rangmanch Pranam. The section included a series of Todas and Parans, skillfully strung together, It concluded with a Kavit, Gath Nikaas, and Padakriya. Following this was a Kannada composition by Sri Purandara Vittala. The song spoke of Rama’s benevolence to the good and his role as the God of death to the wicked.

The second segment highlighted Abhinaya, or expression, through three choreographic works. The first was a lyrical portrayal of verses from Jayadeva’s Geeta Govinda, where Radha’s female companion brings her and Krishna together, the play of fabric symbolizing the three characters was effectively used. The second piece, *Chaturang*, integrated Sahithya, Saragam, Nrutta Bhols, and Tarana to depict the ecstatic dance of Shiva and Parvati, set to the rhythms of the Mridanga. This was a revival of a repertoire brought to light by Dr. Maya Rao. The final performance of the segment was a Marathi Abhang by Sri Chokamela, taking the audience through a spectrum of emotions—from the poet’s initial disappointment at being denied entry to the temple, to his ultimate joy when Panduranga himself appeared to accept his offerings.

The final segment paid tribute to the Lucknow Gharana, showcasing its slow, graceful unfolding through a Tarana in Raga Darbari, set to Teen Taal.

The evening was graced by the esteemed presence of Sri Piyal Bhattacharya, SNA Awardee from Kolkata, and Sri Joga Rao, a leading attorney in Bangalore, as the chief guests.