Neha Sathanapalli, a disciple of Ananda Shankar Jayant, performed at TAG Dakshinamurthy Auditorium, Mylapore as part of Brahma Gana Sabha’s annual dance festival.

She commenced with a Mallari in Gambhira Nattai, Rupaka tala, which evoked the festive mood that prevailed in Ayodhya when Rama was born — a fitting prelude to the evening’s repertoire. ‘Bhavayami Raghuramam’, a composition by Swati Tirunal in Ragamalika, Rupaka tala, was the main piece of the evening. Choreographed by Ananda Shankar Jayant, it chronicles the story of Rama through a sequence of events, including the Thatakai vadam, Sita Swayamvaram, Guhan helping cross the Ganges river, Bharatha meeting Rama and taking his padukas, Shoorpanaka’s  disfigurement, Sita haranam, choodamani pradhanam, Rama-Ravana yuddham and Rama Pattabhishekam in Ayodhya.

Throughout the recital, Neha’s footwork was marked by quick, sharp movements that brought alive the spirit of each of the characters. The dancer’s red costume added to the vibrancy of the performance. However, beyond the technical precision, it is the emotional connect that enhances the rasanubhava — an aspect the dancer could develop further.

The recorded musical ensemble included Swetha Prasad on the vocals,  Ananda Shankar Jayant and I.V. Renuka Prasad on the nattuvangam, Kolanka Sai Kumar on the violin and T.P. Balasubramanian on the mridangam.