Transcendence, a classical dance and music concert hosted by the Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre in Cambridge on Saturday, March 12^th, was a soul-satisfying experience for knowledgeable rasikas and beginners alike!  Despite the stormy conditions outside, the gracious Sanctuary Theatre was packed.  The evening offered high-quality live performances, with Soumya Rajaram’s electrifying performance as its high point.  Eminent dancer and teacher, Guru Neena Gulati, founder and director of the Triveni School of Dance, was honored for her contributions to the dance community of Greater Boston.

Janani Swamy’s engaging, informative narration made the journey into Indian classical music and dance accessible and enjoyable for all.  The evening covered a lot of ground, with three different classical dance styles, and a taste of classical vocal music, but Janani’s deft guidance built a cumulative narrative for the audience, her superb mastery of the elements of each experience, and her articulate, expressive introductions kept us looking for more. 

The young Ensemble dancers (Shreya Srinivasan, Shreya Ramanathan, Lakshya Srinivasan, Ananya Srinivasan, Samyuktha Rajaram), students of Soumya Rajaram, performed the introductory dance as well as the sparkling finale of the show, dancing with energy and coordination, to bring well-choreographed and endearing dimensions to the show.  Sapna Govindan showcased Mohiniyaattam, the classical dance of Kerala, introducing the audience to the grace of this dance form.  Priya Bangal followed, with an item in the Odissi style, highlighting the beauty and classical elements of this dance tradition.  Young vocalists Janani Sriram, Janya Ramachandran, Sahana Miduturu and Shreya Madhu, students of Guru Tara Bangalore of the Anubhava School of Music performed Carnatic music compositions, impressing with their powerful, melodious renditions.

The much-awaited Transcendence was the Bharatanatyam performance by Soumya Rajaram.  The beautiful lines, athleticism and powerful poses, combined with her engaging presence and expressive interpretation made this an unforgettable experience.  As a longtime dance enthusiast, I have come to expect a very high-quality show from Soumya, but this performance was special.  Here is a dancer who continuously improves her art!  The three pieces she chose for the event highlighted her talent and range, and also her maturity and rapport with the audience.  Ananda Thaandava (Ragam Kedaragowla, Thalam Adi) composed by Gopalakrishna Bharathi and choreographed by the Dhananjayans introduced Soumya’s precision and descriptive skills as she conveyed the high points of Nataraja’s cosmic dance.

The next item was an excerpt from Jayadeva’s Ashtapadi (Ragam Basanti, Thalam Misra Chapu) set to music by K Hariprasad and choreographed by Guru Bragha Bessel.  In her portrayal of the sakhi pleading with Krishna on behalf of Radha, the uniquely personalized story-telling method of Guru Bragha Bessel (and her teacher Guru Kalanidhi Narayanan) shone through.  The joyful Thillana (Ragam Pahadi, Misra Chapu Thalam) composed by Lalgudi Jayaraman and imaginatively choreographed by Guru Sheejith Krishna was a magnificent way to end the show.

|