BENGALURU: The Bharatanatyam Rangapravesha of 14-year-old Kumari Mahati Ananth, presented under the title “Nritya Anantha – Mahati Nūpura Nāda” by Shailusham Arts & Creations®, at ADA Rangamandira, Bengaluru, emerged as an engaging confluence of classical tradition, musical creativity and artistic innovation.
A disciple of Vidwan Ananth Vikram, Mahati demonstrated remarkable maturity, confidence and expressive depth throughout the recital. Having embarked on her stage journey at just one-and-a-half years of age, she has spent over a decade immersed in the world of dance, and this dedication was evident in her command over rhythm, abhinaya and presentation.
The recital opened with a Pushpanjali in Saraswati raga, followed by a Ganesha composition, setting a devotional tone. One of the most distinctive highlights was the original Shailusham Sheershike Geete, musically composed by Ananth Vikram in the specially chosen raga Mahati, bearing the dancer’s own name, set to Adi tala. The Pada Varnam, Sri Krishna Kamalanatho, provided an expansive canvas for Mahati’s expressive and rhythmic abilities on Lord Krishna’s Story. This was followed by Ranjani Mala, a Ranjani ragamalika, and the evocative Kalinga Narthana Tillana in Gambheera Nata, bringing the recital to a vibrant conclusion along with Endaro Mahanubhavulu.
What set this presentation apart were its innovative elements. Mahati’s recitation of jatis and participation in rhythmic jugalbandi brought an additional dimension to the conventional Bharatanatyam format, demonstrating her understanding of both rhythm and performance. In a particularly memorable moment during the Varnam’s Bhagavad Gita sequence, Ananth Vikram, who was leading the ensemble through vocals and nattuvangam, stepped onto the stage portraying Arjuna and performed alongside his daughter and disciple. Vid. Bharadwaj Dayanidhi rendered his voice for the verses and dialogues of Bhagavad gita. This rare coming together of Guru and Shishya, father and daughter, became one of the evening’s most memorable artistic moments.
Another refreshing experiment was the presentation of the popular Dasara composition Tamburi Meetidava in Sindhu Bhairavi and Tishra Eka tala, reimagined as an interactive bhajan-style musical jam. The audience was drawn into the musical experience, creating an atmosphere of collective participation rarely witnessed in a traditional Rangapravesha.
The musical ensemble was a major strength of the production. Vidwan Ananth Vikram handled both vocals and nattuvangam, supported by Karnataka Kalashree Vidwan G. Gurumurthy on mridangam, Karnataka Kalashree Vidwan H.S. Venugopal on flute, Vidwan Subramanya Hegde on sitar and Vidwan Arun Kumar on rhythm pads. The ensemble provided a rich and cohesive musical foundation, balancing classical rigour with creative interpretation.
The occasion was graced by eminent personalities, including former Advocate General of Karnataka Sri B.V. Acharya, Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Guru Vidushi Dr. Veena Murthy Vijay, Presidential Awardee Guru Vidushi Vijayanthi Kashi, and senior dance exponent Guru Vidushi Dr. Soundarya Srivathsa, among others.
In her appreciation of the performance, Dr. Soundarya Srivathsa commended the artistic presentation and the effort behind the production. Sri Hayagreeva Achar, Secretary of Sri Jnanakshi Vidyaniketan, particularly appreciated Mahati’s dedication, expressive abilities and sustained commitment to dance for over a decade, remarkable for an artiste of just 14 years.
Anusha, a gifted singer associated with Samarthanam Trust, also shared her appreciation, highlighting the versatility of Ananth Vikram, who seamlessly moved between vocals, nattuvangam and the stage to perform as Arjuna in the Varnam.
Nritya Anantha was more than a milestone in a young dancer’s journey. It was a thoughtfully curated artistic experience that demonstrated how the classical arts can remain deeply rooted in tradition while embracing fresh ideas. Above all, it celebrated the invaluable Guru–Shishya relationship and the beauty of passing an artistic legacy from one generation to the next.
