Shaniwarwada Dance Festival – By Neelambari Bhoge
My Theatre Cafe
Feb 28, 2013
http://mytheatrecafe.com/pune-theatre/shaniwarwada-dance-festival/
The historical premises of Shaniwarwada came alive with the spirit of cultural celebration with Shaniwarwada Dance Festival that was held on February 17, 2013. In its 12th colourful year, the festival mesmerised Punekars with melodious notes and the tinkle of ghungroos filled the air. The event turned out to be a magnificent event with the performances of renowned Kathak danseuse Anjali Patil, internationally renowned classical vocalist Vatsala Mehra and internationally renowned Kathak danseuse Aditi Mangaldas.
The inauguration started with the lighting of the lamp and offered prayers to Lord Ganesh Issue 2-Final-724with a ‘Ganesh Vandana’. The ‘Ganesh Vandana’ was conceptualised, choreographed and performed by Anjali Patil along with 8 Kathak dancers from Pune. Anjali who has been trained under renowned gurus Padmabhushan Kumudini Lakhia and Late Pandita Rohini Bhate enthralled the audiences with the exhilarating performance.
The festival concluded with a performance of internationally renowned classical vocalist Vatsala Mehra. Vatsala who had her formal training from Ustad Momin Khan of Lucknow gharana performed a half an hour programme ‘Thumri – Dadra’. Her breathtaking voice, with its perfect bass notes and astonishing range, broke all barriers with its purity. On the other hand, internationally renowned Kathak danseuse Aditi Mangaldas who is a former student of both Padmabhushan Kumudini Lakhia and Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj with her troupe showcased 1 hour 15 minutes programme named ‘Uncharted Seas’.
The Kathak performance by Aditi Mangaldas and her group was like a chimera in light and shade that conducted a search- physical, emotional, psychological into the realms of the unknown. ‘Uncharted Seas’ was conceptualised, choreographed by Aditi. She also designed the costumes and was also staged by Aditi. The vocal compositions were done by Shubha Mudgal and Aneesh Pradhan and lights were designed by Sander Loonen.