Tejas Foundation organised the Indradhanush programme showcasing three different classical dance styles, Bharata-natyam, Kuchipudi and Kathak and also honoured top exponents like Dr Padma Sharma, Smita Shastri and Dr Vinod Hasal with the title Nrityavid for their invaluable contribution towards the enrichment and propagation of classical dances by veteran dance teacher Guru Ramesh Purav. On this occasion, three different dance styles were presented at the mini P.L. Deshpande auditorium in Mumbai.
The programme commenced with vavacious Bharatanatyam recital by Chitra Dalvi, Mandira Joshi and Suhani Joshi, disciples of the renowned exponent Dr Sanddhya Pureccha. It was interesting to watch the Krishna number, being performed with lot of enthusiasm, while all the three performed well, Chitra Dalvi proved to be the most spontaneous dancer
Guru Smita Shastri is a leading Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi exponent from Ahmedabad; she has established the Nartan School of Classical Dances where she has trained several students. Shastri has been associated with great names in the field like Guru C.R., Acharyalu and Mrinalini Sarabhai. It was surprising to watch Shastri dance the astapadis with the same amount of passion I had seen several years back. The ashtapadi ‘Dheere Sameere Yamuna Teere’ wherein Krishna anxiously waits at the banks of the river Yamuna to meet Radha, this was well performed.
India's cultural ambassador to South Africa, Dr Vinod Hasal holds the unique distinction of introducing Kathak to South Africans. Having established the Radha Kirshna Academy of Dance and Music, several students are learning Kathak and many of them have become professionals too. Vinod's performances have been witnessed by dignitaries like Dr Nelson Mandela and former president Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki. Vinod performed a beautiful number in praise of Lord Shiva, followed by pure dance patterns, with complete involvement and devotion. On the musical team he was accompanied by mentor and father Guru Ganesh Hiralal Hasal and tabla by Umesh Hasal. It was a great gesture on behalf of Dr Sanddhya Pureccha to honour classical dancers of repute. On the whole it was programme of both substance and structure.