Author: Lakshmi

'Dheera Santushti' – A new Horizon For Peace, was a fascinating contemporary theme very well expressed in the Dance show held on 09Aug at Kamani Auditorium by Prashanti Natya Nilayam.

If the test of the pudding is in its eating then indeed the audience’s response was the test of this exquisite presentation. The expressive qualities of the dancing and the values championed by the story have universal appeal.

The theme is about the Dilemma of Human survival in this Kaliyuga. The world is a very troubled and disturbed place today. The Kali Yuga is and has been marked by wars, natural and man made calamities and disasters. Devastations, unnatural deaths, wrongdoing and sin are rampant and all pervasive. Under the divine guidance and inspiration of Bhagwan Satya Sai Baba, Prasanthi Nilaya undertakes this theme of what is and the only way of salvation and that is an aim at fostering a sense of peace, well being and brotherhood amongst all human beings.

A success in conveying this message in a very brilliant aesthetic form does indicate the very dedicated hard work, understanding and good teamwork by this gifted team. Danseuse Ms Vasanthi Sridhar excelled herself in her bringing visual delight to the audience with the perfect use of her expressive eyes and rhythmic body movements. She seems to have that alchemy which communicates without loudness or over played exuberance. Kudos to her brilliant team of about 7 cherubs who gave very able support in this challenge. Each one of the supporting young promising danseuses pitched in well and did credit to the experience. But one should not be alarmed if some from the audience mentions that this dance aspect contributed only 50 percent of the success of the show. Then what’s the other 50 percent?

The brilliant music support was an overwhelming aspect in the real enjoyment of the performance. Vananthi K. Rao with her mellifluous sweet voice and marked by a high degree of erudition and understanding gave a soulful rendition. The music had a very pleasant blend of the Carnatic and Hindustani and Vansathi Rao was at her elements in both the styles. Every member of the orchestra rendered an able support.

It was an exquisite blend of the visual and audio exposition, which transported the audience to a unique level of ecstatic experience.

The main themes of the Concept were:

· Homage to Mother Earth
· Anger of the Mother Earth and Pralayam (destruction of the Earth)
· Shanti Dootam-Verses from the Sundara Kandam depicting the exchange of the signet ring between Sita and hanuman.
· Appeasement of the Mother Earth and Suktams to strengthen the Universe.

Some appropriate visual films were blended in the show depicting actual human calamities, which have occurred.