Sampradaya - a review
by Varalakshmi Venkataraman
May 12, 2024
May 12, 2024
Chicago offers a wide array of activities for music and art lovers throughout the year. Once the weather gets warmer, especially the months of April and May, we see a surge in cultural activities among Indian communities with numerous performances, events, religious and cultural celebrations happening almost every weekend. It is also the time many dance and music schools conduct their annual recital programs to showcase their students ‘ progress. I happened to attend one such event organized by Samskriti Foundation led by the artistic director, Shoba Natarajan. The event was titled ‘Sampradaya - a timeless tradition.' I have watched many of Samskriti's past programs/productions featuring experienced professionals, local talents as well as students of dance and music. To name a few Rasaanubhaava, MS centenary celebrations, Krishnaarpanam.
Coming back to Sampradaya dance production, Samskriti dance ensemble students did an amazing job presenting exclusive pieces from Samskriti's Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi repertoire. Usually student performances are prone to mistakes here and there, as they are still in the learning phase. But to my surprise, the students presented a near perfect performance which is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the teacher’ s training and commitment.
They presented eight pieces (songs) in this performance, in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi styles praising different deities and their qualities. The songs chosen were mostly popular modified to suit the dance styles with jathis in between. They also incorporated different costumes to increase visual appeal adding more richness to their presentations. Thoroughly enjoyed the program from start to finish.
Programs like this require detailed planning , good communication, constant practice and rigorous rehearsals to ensure a smooth presentation. In any group performance, bringing all of the participants together for the rehearsals could be quite overwhelming for the teachers and requires great coordination . It was clear that they had gone above and beyond to make it a grand success. Sharing a few pictures that I captured.
Coming back to Sampradaya dance production, Samskriti dance ensemble students did an amazing job presenting exclusive pieces from Samskriti's Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi repertoire. Usually student performances are prone to mistakes here and there, as they are still in the learning phase. But to my surprise, the students presented a near perfect performance which is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the teacher’ s training and commitment.
They presented eight pieces (songs) in this performance, in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi styles praising different deities and their qualities. The songs chosen were mostly popular modified to suit the dance styles with jathis in between. They also incorporated different costumes to increase visual appeal adding more richness to their presentations. Thoroughly enjoyed the program from start to finish.
Programs like this require detailed planning , good communication, constant practice and rigorous rehearsals to ensure a smooth presentation. In any group performance, bringing all of the participants together for the rehearsals could be quite overwhelming for the teachers and requires great coordination . It was clear that they had gone above and beyond to make it a grand success. Sharing a few pictures that I captured.
As part of our 'Community Enrichment Program,' Samskriti Foundation proudly presents 'Sampradaya - a timeless tradition' by the Samskriti Dance Ensemble, featuring exclusive pieces from Samskriti's Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi repertoire.
Sampradaya will showcase the timeless beauty, grace, and elegance of the traditional dance mArgam repertoire.
Concept, choreography and direction: Shoba Natarajan
Ensemble dancers (in alphabetical order):
Akshara Kanreddy
Jaelyn Karuna
Jaime Karuna
Mahathi Kandukuri
Mahima Iyer
Rajvika Bandi
Sana Beeravalli
Sana Kalra
Sarayu Karthikeyan
Shruthilaya Loknath
Tanvi Vijay
Thejolakshmi Achari
Vanita Rikame
Invocation by:
Anjali Bhide
Charita Rikame
Eshita Kurma
Kashika Yadav
Nagasri Paturi
Sai Sahasra Lodari
Sanjana Suraj
Sarangi Achari
Vaishnavi Sunkada
Vedanshi Inturi
Yukta Nayaganti
Samskriti Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of the Illinois Arts Council, the City of Naperville, and our long-standing patrons and well-wishers!
