Entertaining combo of music and dance

KATHMANDU: With raagas and enthralling performances of ancient dances like Bharatnatyam and  Panch Buddha, ‘Sangeet Sargam’ was organised by the Indian Cultural Center (ICC) at Radisson Hotel Kathmandu, Lazimpat on May 23 in honour of Indian politician Palvai Govardhan Reddy.

Sangeet Sargam, that was performed by students of ICC, started with Om Namah Shivaya. Jaljala Pariyar accompanied by Amit Nepal on dholak, Saurav Sharma on harmonium and Suman Ghising on guitar gave a good start.

Sudesh Subedi replaced Pariyar to perform Aisi Laagi Lagan with other musicians. It was a wonderful show which earned him a round of applause.

Continuing the aura of eastern classical, music teacher Dr Neepa Choudhury took the stage for the last classical vocal show. She sang famous bhajan Khwaja Mere Khwaja from the Bollywood movie Jodhaa Akbar. She even sang a few lines of a Telugu song.

Of her performance, she expressed after the event, “It was a good experience. The audience understand the raagas of the song (Khwaja Mere Khwaja ) which made it easier for me to perform.”

After a series of musical renditions, elegant dances moves took over the stage.

In beautiful Bharatnatyam attire, four dancers performed the Pushpanjali — first dance of a Bharathanatyam performance. The dance of ecstasy expressed different mudras of the dancing avatar of Lord Shiva, Nataraj.

On the same stage, traditional Nepali dance also came alive. Depicting five avatars or transcendental forms of Buddha — Panch Buddha was a different experience. Choreographed by Sunita Maharjan, varied expressions and dance moves were performed by five dancers in different costumes.

As per Maharjan, “Five forms of Buddhas are Vairochana (The Brilliant One), Akshobhya (The Unshakable), Ratnasambhava (The Matrix of the Jewel), Amitabha (The Infinite Light), and The Amoghasiddhi (The Infallible Realisation). Each of the Buddhas has distinguished posture and colour as per their forms and this was what was showcased in the dance.”

After watching all the performances, Reddy addressed the audience, “I thoroughly enjoyed the performances. We are rich in culture and we should conserve it.” He also praised the students of ICC for their talents.