Rasik Performing Arts celebrated the 26th edition of Prayaas, an evening resonating with Sangeet and Nritya, at Gurugram’s Apparel House. The event, a testament to preserving Indian classical arts, showcased budding talents and acclaimed artists like Pandit Jayant Kastuar, Shri Ravidra Mishra, Chitra Sharma, and Dibakar Das.
The evening opened with 50 young performers aged 5 and above, offering enchanting glimpses of India’s cultural heritage. Guru Jayashree Acharya’s duet ‘Channd Leela’ stole the spotlight, a rhythmic Kathak marvel celebrating musical instruments’ unique qualities. Preetisha Mohapatra’s Odissi added elegance to the already stellar lineup.
The curated performances delved into Indian classical arts’ diverse terrain. ‘Hari Har’ marked the beginning, blending twilight melodies and Ektaal’s 12-beat cycle in Raag Kaushik Kanara, celebrating Shiva and Krishna’s union. ‘Saraswati Vandana’ in Raag Desh and ‘Aakash’ in Raag Bilawal by the kids followed, offering melodic richness.
‘Bhupali’ in Raag Bhupali, ‘Bilawal’ with Teental’s beats, and a Kathak performance inspired by Krishna Bhakti honored Bindadeen Maharaj. ‘Ashtapadi’ painted Krishna dancing in Vrindavan, while ‘Jai Jaiwanti,’ a Persian-influenced Tarana, added a unique musical experience. ‘Teental,’ composed by Guru Jayashree Acharya, highlighted the Taal’s orbit, focusing on the Sarangi refrain.
The students showcased ‘Jog Tarana’ in Raag Jog, embodying Lucknow gharana’s Kathak traditions, followed by ‘Sargam’ and ‘Abhogi’ based on Raag Kalavati.
Guru Jayashree Acharya expressed, “Kathak serves as my gateway to dance, rhythm, melody, and poetry, offering insights into people, emotions, and the evolving world. Prayaas introduces this profound art to curious young minds, captivated by Kathak’s artistry.”
With an enthralled audience, Prayaas 2023 highlighted Rasik Performing Arts’ commitment to safeguarding India’s classical arts legacy. The music by Shri Shiv Shankar Ray and Shri Pratip Banerjee added depth to this cultural extravaganza.