Benaka Natya Mandir presented the Bharatanatyam Arangetram of Kum. Nithyashree Srinivasan, disciple of Guru Rekha Dinesh Kumar, at ADA Rangamandira on Sunday, April 12th. Daughter of Smt. Ranjani and Shri K. Sreenivasan, Nithyashree delivered a graceful and confident debut performance that reflected her strong foundation in both technique and abhinaya.
Initiated into dance at a young age, Nithyashree has undergone over a decade of training under Guru Rekha Dinesh Kumar, a renowned Bharatanatyam exponent and founder of Benaka Natya Mandir. A Class 12th student of Freedom International School, HSR Layout, she has also performed at several prestigious festivals as part of the institutionās performing group. She is also undergoing training in Carnatic music under Guru Ashwini Narasimhan.
The recital commenced with Pushpanjali and Andal Kauthvam, followed by āRajeevalochana Ramaā in Mohana Raga. The highlight of the performance was āMaaye Manam Kanindarul,ā a composition depicting the various forms of the Goddess, where Nithyashreeās expressive abhinaya left a strong impact. Other notable pieces included āKapalini,ā Subramania Bharathiyarās āChinnanjiru Kiliye,ā and the finale Thillana in Brindabana Saranga, concluding with āMaithreem Bhajatha.ā
She was ably supported by Guru Rekha Dinesh Kumar (nattuvangam), Harshita Vidya (vocal), Narayanaswamy (mridangam), Mahesh Swamy (flute), Gopal Venkataramana (veena), and Mithun Shakti (rhythm pad).
Among the distinguished guests were noted Bharatanatyam exponent Dr. Padmaja Suresh, Carnatic vocalist Ashwini Narasimhan, and Mumbai-based dance critic Guru Vijay Shanker.
By Guru Vijayshanker