The auditorium at Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, California echoed with rhythmic footsteps, melodious dance syllables, devotional songs and music on the cool spring
afternoon of Saturday, 26 February 2005.
This was the first year of Natyotsava; an event arranged by Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, California to provide an opportunity for artistic directors of Indian Classical Dance schools of Bay Area to perform at the temple.
The event was supported by temple trustees, felicitated by temple priest Gajanana Joshi, arranged and conducted by Ram Kedlaya and Sandhya Kedlaya.
The event began with a Bharatnatyam performance by the artistic director of Nrityodaya Dance Academy, Radhika Shankar. Radhika presented Pushpanjali in raga Aarabhi and 'Thaye Yashoda' by composer Oothukkadu Venkata Subbaier.
This was followed by a Bharatanatyam recital by the artistic director of Jayendra Kalakendra, Sugandha Shreenath. Sugandha presented a dance piece called Natyanjali in Ragamalika with Panchanadai, choreographed by Dhananjayans. She also presented Purandaradasa's composition 'Chikkavane ivano' in Ragamalika and a Bhajan from Ramacharitmanas.
The Kuchipudi performance that evening was by Jyothi Lakkaraju, the artistic director of Natyalaya Kuchipudi School of Dance. She started her recital with GNB's composition 'Sarswati Namostute', continued with the padam 'Evade vaadu' and concluded with a fast-paced recital of Dashavtara.
After a short break, we were treated to a performance rendered by artistic director of Bharatkala Kutiram, Jayanthi Sridhar. She performed a Pushpanjali followed by Ashtalakshmi Varnam and concluded with a dance piece called Natyaragini.
The next performance was by the artistic director of Pampa, Nirmala Madhava. She presented the 'Tandavam adinal', 'Hanumant Devarnama' and 'Yeno Sukrotava'.
Nirupama Vaidhynathan, the artistic director of Sankalpa School of dance began with Purandara Dasa's composition in Kannada 'Gajvandana Beduve' followed by a Swati Tirunal's composition and 'Kurai onrum illai' offered in dedication to the late M.S.Subbulakshmi.
The final performance by Shreelatha Suresh, the artistic director of Vishwa Shanthi Dance Academy featured a Pushpanjali, Dashavtara and a Krishna Bhajan.
All the dancers were congratulated and blessed by the temple priest Gajanana Joshi with a plaque, shawl and a fruit plate to each artist.
More than 100 devotees and dance lovers attended the event. And this seemed a wonderful beginning for another dance festival.
