Telangana Reuters, Hyderabad, 24th August, 2026: Uttaraa Center for Performing Arts (UCPA) presents the Arangetram of Kumari K. R. Bhavika Reddy, disciple of Abhinaya Kala Ratna Guru Smt. Geetha Ganesan, on 23rd August 2026. Having begun her Bharatanatyam training at the age of seven, Bhavika Reddy has undergone 10 years of dedicated training under Guru Smt. Geetha Ganesan. Her Arangetram presents a traditional Bharatanatyam repertoire.
The Repertoire:
The evening commences with Mangalacharanam, beginning with Pushpanjali, an auspicious floral offering presented in Raga Kalyani and Khandachapu Tala. This is followed by Madagaja Mukhane, a Malayalam composition invoking Lord Ganesha, set in Raga Madhyamavathi and Adi Tala, depicting the episode of Kubera Garvam.
The centrepiece of the evening is the Tamil Pada Varnam, Mohamahinen, composed by K. Dandayudapani Pillai, in Raga Kharaharapriya and Adi Tala. The Varnam explores the emotional world of the nayika, portraying her admiration for the attributes of Lord Shiva, the episode of Kāma’s five arrows, and the powerful Śiva Tāṇḍavam, bringing together devotion, emotion and dynamic nritta. The second half opens with Rajeeva Netraya, a Sanskrit composition of
Annamacharya, presented as a Ragamalika and Talamalika. A devotional composition in praise of Lord Rama, it brings alive episodes from the Ramayana, including Tāṭakā Saṁhāram, Yāga Rakṣaṇam, Sītā Svayaṁvaram, Śūrpaṇakhā’s nāsikā-karṇa chedanam, Setu Bandhanam and Rāvaṇa Saṁhāram. The repertoire then travels beyond the Carnatic tradition with the Marathi composition. Aaz Gokula by Sri Suresh Bhat, set in a Hindustani raga close to Raag Pahadi, with Adi Tala in Tishra Gati. The piece depicts the playful celebration of Holi inbVrindavan, bringing together Krishna, Radha and the Gopikas in an atmosphere of colour, joy and playful devotion. This is followed by the Kannada Javali Sako Ninna Sneha in Raga Kaapi and Roopaka Tala, composed by Sri Sangeetham Venkataramanayya. The piece portrays a nayika waiting for her beloved, who has gone to another woman’s home, leaving her to endure his absence with longing, hurt and quiet reproach.
The performance culminates in a vibrant Thillana in Raga Kadanakuthoohala and
Adi Tala, composed by Dr. Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna. Driven by intricate
rhythmic patterns and energetic nritta, the Thillana brings the evening to a spirited
conclusion, followed by Mangalam, the traditional concluding benediction. The programme therefore brings together traditional Bharatanatyam nritta,
expressive abhinaya and devotional repertoire across Sanskrit, Tamil, Malayalam, Marathi and Kannada, reflecting both the depth of the classical margam and the diversity of Indian musical and literary traditions.
The performance featured Guru Smt. Geetha Ganesan on nattuvangam and vocal, with Sri K. Rajagopala Chari on mridangam, Sri R. Dinakar on violin and Sri J. Dattatreya on flute, Shri R. Shrikanth on Tabla.
