Nrityadiksha Academy of Bharata Natyam (New Delhi) presented the debut Bharata Natyam performance by Ganesh Sisters - Anwita and Gia at the Triveni Kala Sangam auditorium on 19th November 2023.

Clarity of movements, control over the technique and natural command over expressions formed the highlight of the performance. The dancing siblings created a lasting impression on the audience with their vivacious performance.

Anwita and Gia are the daughters of Mr and Mrs Asha A Ganesh and are the disciples of accomplished Bharata Natyam exponent and mentor, Guru Priya Venkataraman who heads the Nrityadiksha Academy of Bharata Natyam in New Delhi. Both Anwita and Gia are the students of Shiv Nadar School in Gurgoan and have been learning the divine art of Bharata Natyam from a tender age and have had the privilege of performing for various occasions.

The duo commenced their performance with the invocatory numbers and proceeded on to perform the most elaborate number of the Bharata Natyam repertoire, the Shankarabharanam Varnam 'Manavi Chekona" that describes the plight of the nayika as she asks her Lord Brihadeeswara 'Will you not listen to my loving prayers"?. As the heroine suffers mental anxiety, the glory of the Lord is also expressed. It was a pleasure to watch the sisters, dancing with fine coordination and synchronisation of music, movements and technique which was also visible in the execution of other numbers like Aadniaye Kanna in praise of Lord Krishna and Yaro Ivar Yaro and concluding with the intricate Thillana with effortless ease and precision.

The duo received fine orchestral music support from Guru Priya Vekataraman on the nattuvangam, vocal by Venkateshwaran Kuppuswamy, mridangam by Thanjavur Kesavan and violin by Ragavendra Prasath. The chief guests for the occasion were renowned Bharata Natyam exponent, Padmashree Geeta Chandran and national award winning documentary film maker R.V.Raman. If the duo continues to dance with same amount of passion and zeal, they can definitely aspire on to become top performers.

By Guru Vijay Shankar