Sunday, February 16, 2025

Yagnaseni - A Powerful Performance

 Aruna Bhikshu ma'am sent me an invite a day in advance for Yagnaseni, the Flame of Destiny, a thematic dance production based on a dramatic episode from the Mahabharata, and I decided I will go if I get a window. The invite said that it was presented by Nrutyavali Cultural Academy. The concept and choreography was by Shri M Surendra Nath and Dr Bijna Surendra Nath and it was at Pheonix Arena. What I found out on arrival there was that it was a mix of Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam.  Aruna Bhiskshu maam played Shakuni and was exceptional.

Aruna Bhikshu maam as Shakuni

Draupadi and Dussashana

Shakuni giving instructions to Dusshashana

Hapless Pandvas watching

The Kauravas plotting

Bheema slaying Dusshashana

It was every bit 'a visually compelling and spiritually evocative narrative' as they mentioned in the invite. The expressions were so vivid even from a distance and i was fully drawn into the performance and the way it was choreographed. The music was fabulous. 

Loved it. I would have paid to watch it and hope to watch it again if they perform again.


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