Rhythms of Reverence: A Celebration of Dance Honoring the Maestro

On a serene evening, Aayam’s, “Rhythms of Reverence,” unfolded as a breathtaking celebration of dance. Dedicated to the esteemed KN Dakshinamoorthy, the guru of Sindhu Mishra, this evening was also a heartfelt tribute to the unwavering support and encouragement from the parents of Aayam’s students. The entire program was conceptualized and choreographed by Guru Sindhu Mishra.

The event commenced with “Pushpanjali,” a traditional offering of flowers to the divine, the guru, and the audience. As the dancers reverently moved to the rhythm set to Raagam Bowli and Talam Adi, the atmosphere was filled with the shlok revering Lord Ganesha. The dancers, including Usha Chauhan, Nandini Nag, Nidhi Joshi, Charvi Joshi, Sonal, Trisrota Dutta, Hanisha Dua, Roopa Kumari, Riddhima Saini, Vaishali, Archita Roy, and Anannya Biswas, embodied the divine invocation with grace and precision.

Following this, Arundhati Chakravarty took the stage with “Guru Stuti,” a poignant piece set to Raagam Tilang. This performance depicted Meera’s yearning for a guru who would guide her path to Lord Krishna. Chakravarty’s evocative portrayal resonated deeply with the audience.

The rhythmic invocation “Alarippu,” performed by Tanusha Tyagi, Arundhati Chakravarty, and Aishaane Bharagava, was a visual delight. Set to Raagam Nattai and Talam Chatusra Jaati, this piece illustrated the dancer’s gradual blossoming, akin to a blooming flower, through synchronized movements.

The children of Aayam enchanted the audience with a Bharatanatyam rendition of “Shri Ram Chandra,” a bhajan composed by Goswami Tulsidas. Set to Raag Sindhu Bhairavi and Adi Taal, the young dancers brought the divine narrative to life with their innocent yet skillful performance.

“Padam – Yaro ivar Yaro” followed, with an exquisite portrayal of Sita’s first sighting of Ram in the palace of Mithila. This abhinaya piece, set to Raag Bhairavi and Taal Adi, beautifully expressed the inexplicable connection Sita felt upon seeing Ram, performed by Swati Mittal. “Natanam Adinaar” depicted the cosmic dance of Shiva, the Ananda Tandava.

Shruti Verma and Ria Gupta, set to Raag Vasanta and Talam Khanda Chappu, celebrated Shiva’s blissful dance that balances creation and destruction, enthralling the audience with their dynamic performance.

The program concluded with “Thillana,” a vibrant and rhythmic piece in Carnatic music. Dancers Ria Gupta, Isha Aggarwal, Tanusha Tyagi, Shruti Verma, and Shatakshi Gupta performed this piece set to Raagam Madhuvanti and Taalam Aadi, encapsulating the love and longing of Krishna in their lively movements. “Rhythms of Reverence” was not just a showcase of exceptional talent but a heartfelt homage to the lineage of gurus and the supportive parents. The evening left the audience in awe, celebrating the profound impact of dance in expressing devotion and connecting with the divine.