Mantra Academy of Arts (Versova) presented the debut BharataNatyam performance by Paridhi Agarwal at the Rang Mandir auditorium in Bandra on Saturday 23^rd November. The performance was lauded by the packed audience for its vivacious quality, rhythmic precision and subtle expressions.

Paridhi is the daughter of Shalini and Vinod Agarwal and the disciple of Guru Mandeera Chaudhari. Paridhi completed her secondary education at Wynberg Allen School in Mussorie after which she graduated in BSc Computer Science from Durham University in the United Kingdom. Following her graduation, she transitioned into the ed-tech sector, aiming to apply her skills and knowledge to foster innovation in education. Paridhi commenced her training in BharataNatyam at the age of 14 and her consistency and determination to pursue this divine art has eventually led her to the successful performance.

After the invocatory numbers, Paridhi performed the Vasanta Jatiswaram that formed a fine synthesis of music, melody and rhythmic movements. The Sabdam narrates Lord Krishna’s divine acts, including his role as Kaurma, supporting the Mandaramountain during the churning of the ocean. The dance vividly portrays Krishna’s playful and sacred actions, offering a rich blend of storytelling and expression and culminating with sacred incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Besides the lively quality of Paridihi’s performance, what was most striking was her complete involvement and her urge to do well which was evident in the Marathi Varnam “Hari Ha Kapati”, reflects the nayika’s inner conflict, ranging from anger to longing and ultimately surrender.

While the Padma incorporated Madhura Veenu Gitam, Kalaithuki described the cosmic dance of Lord Nataraja as he dances on one foot. Pertaining to the Jakkula tribe of Andhra Pradesh, Jakkini has been incorporated in the BharataNatym repertoire by Sarfojiraje Bhosale of Tanjavur. The dancer invokes Shiva in his many divine aspects, the blue throated Neelakanta, bearing the poison of the cosmos, the crescent moon upon his head, symbolizing the passage of time and his cosmic dance which both preserves and dissolves the universe. Besides the Krishna Bhajan, Paridhi concluded her performance with the beautiful Swati Thirunal Dhanasri Thillana in praise of Lord Padbanabha revealing her devotion and command over BharataNatyam.

Paridhi received fine musical support from Guru Mandeera Chaudhari on nattuvangam, vocal by N N Sivaprasad and Keerthana Krishnamurthy, mridangam by Satish Krishnamurthy, violin by Anantharaman, flute by VivekAantaram, moorsing by KN Gopalan and compere by the talented BharataNatyam Prachi Saathi.

Distinguished guests Dr S Aandhya Purecha, chairperson of Sangeet Natak Akademi and actress Sudha Chandran praised the sincere efforts of Guru Mandeera and Paridhi, Dr Sandhya said “I am really delighted to see the Tanjavurbani being executed with such perfection and in its purest form. Paridhi has a bright future as a fine classical dancer”.

Mantra Academy of Arts has classes in Versova, Four Bungalows and Marol. Along with Guru Mandeera, Guru Rageshree Parkar shares the responsibility of training young aspirant the divine art of BharataNatyam.

By Guru Vijay Shankar