Dutta sisters (Keerthana and Lasya), disciples of Smt Jeyanthi Ghatraju, ascend stage with a dazzle!

 

Keerthana and Lasya Dutta daughters of Srinivas and Malli Dutta performed their Bharatanatyam Arangetram on Sunday August 7th, 2016 at Littleton High School, Littleton. Both Dutta sisters, Keerthana and Lasya have been learning Bharatanatyam for past 8 and 7 years respectively from Guru Smt. Jeyanthi Ghatraju garu at Natyanjali. Jeyanthi Garu is a well-known performer/choreographer and has been teaching dance through Natyanjali School of Dance. Since 1999 she and her students have done many performances for the benefit of underprivileged/often overlooked sections of the society. Jeyanthi garu was awarded the coveted US president's volunteer service gold award in 2013 for her community service.

The program began sharp at 3 pm as scheduled, with the welcome speech by Dutta sister's father Srinivas Dutta. Parents - Malli and Srinivas Dutta, welcomed one and all with folded hands to the dance Journey to be presented by Keerthana and Lasya under the guidance of Guru Jeyanthi Garu and requested Guru Jeyanthi garu to conduct the program.

Program continued with invocation by Sri Sudhev Warrier, accompanied by Sri Sudhaman on the mridangam and Sri Ramani Thiagarajan on the flute, to Lord Ganesha. This was followed by Nataraja Anjali paying obeisance to Lord Nataraja and seeking the blessings of Guru Smt. Jeyanthi Garu, the live orchestra on stage, and the audience. It was then followed by Mahadeva Sutham on Lord Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles. Dutta sisters had set a very high standard and tone for the program through the opening dances with their reverberating performance coupled with divine music by live orchestra to create a magical experience. They shone like crown jewels in their beautiful Bharatanatyam attire and were received by the audience with thunderous applause.

Next item of the program was Alarippu, symbolizing opening up of the dancer’s body and mind to the ensuing recital; this was beautifully performed by both sisters with their graceful pure dance moves, highlighting the rhythmic patterns sung to a set tempo in Khanda nadai of 5 counts. It was then followed by Jathiswaram in ragam Kalyani- pure dance that consisted of just musical notes and dance syllables without any verse. Both sisters performed this in perfect sync like mirror images and it was a feast to eyes with beautiful temple backdrop with wonderful lighting. 

Mandooka shabdham by Kasinatha kavi was presented next, wherein Keerthana and Lasya effortlessly transformed themselves into various characters narrating the story of Gajendra moksham.

During brief break for costume change, the live orchestra team presented a stunning performance on Mridangam by Sudhaman Ji, intertwined with melodious flute by Ramani Ji. Audience was spellbound by their performance!

Then came the highlight of the recital - a navarasa varnam, describing the nine basic emotions as expressed by goddess Parvathi! Challenging jathis interspersed with compelling expressions, along with a mime that narrated the stories ahead of time made the experience profound! Their performance covered all navarasas and created magical spell on audience through beautiful rendition of music my Sri Sudev Ji, Sudaman Ji,  Ramani Ji and nattuvangam by Guru Smt.Jeyanthi Garu.

 

After a brief intermission, program resumed with Hanuman Chalisa, a devotional hymn in praise of Lord Hanuman, followed by Rusli Radha depicting melodious and divine love of Radha and Krishna. Both the songs were presented so aesthetically by Dutta sisters, it created a remarkable, spiritual and blissful joy among the audience. Program then went into penultimate items of folk song, Antha ramamayam and Thillana in ragam Kadhanakudhookalam. This was a rare and challenging composition of Prof. T.V. Gopalakrishnan, ably choreographed by Guru Jeyanthi, rendered by effectively by Sudev Ji, coupled with divine drum beats by Sudaman Ji and melodious Flute by Ramani Ji.  Keerthana and Lasya, although into their 3rd hour of continuous performance, presented these songs with full of energy with beaming and radiating smiles as if two twin dolls performing in full sync through their lotus petal like eyes and graceful dance movements.

Dance part of the program was concluded with Sai Mangalam, praising their family deities - Shirdi Sai Baba and lord Venkateswara and thanking Guru Smt. Jeyanthi garu, live music team and all the guests who graced the ocasion. Fully packed auditorium with over 500 guests gave a standing ovation and thunderous applause to Dutta sisters, Guru Smt. Jeyanthi Garu and the musical team.

 

Chief guest for program, Sangeet Natak Academy Awardee, Top grade Veena Artist in India, who has been giving concerts for more than 50 years, Sri Ayyagari Syamasundar garu recollected his memories with the Dutta family and wished the girls to perform many such programs in USA and INDIA.

 

Keerthana and Lasya thanked her Guru Smt. Jeyanthi Garu that she has not only been a great dance teacher but also a great mentor, coach and encouraged them in volunteering through dance for charity organizations and has been a great role model. Dutta sisters are contributing part of the gifts they have received to the causes (Education and Hunger) they most care about - Bighelp for education and We Care Charity!