Ashritha Segu

  Kumari Ashritha Segu, disciple of Guru Smt. Shubha Dhananjay, finished her Rangapravesha successfully on 28th June 2013.It was a pleasant evening at JSS Auditorium. A well decorated stage with the temple of Lord Krishna standing between Two Peacocks was hinting at the special attraction in store.   With the compering of Smt. Shubha's husband Shri. Dhananjay, and her disciples Maya and Lavanya, Ashritha began the performance with the traditional Pushpanjali. The combination of adavus used were enthralling. She then proceeded to invoke the blessings of the elephant lord through the Ganesha Stuti - ಶ್ರೀ ಮಹಾ ಗಣಪತಿ - depicting all aspects of the lord, as expressions played across her face.

   Following that was the Alaripu, in Mishra Chhapu Taalam, and Jathiswara in Raga Nalinakanthi, a composition of the famous Dwaraki Krishnaswamy. Ashritha's feet moved quickly to the fast-paced Jathi's as her body moved flexibly to the requirements of the adavus. 

  The next dance was the famous Bhajan of Tulsidas, ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಚಂದ್ರ ಕೃಪಾಲು ಭಜಮನ, which showed a good depiction of Sita's Swayamvara, where many king (including Demon king Ravan) fail in lifting the Bow of Shiva which Lord Rama does so easily.

  The most difficult part of any Rangapravesha, The Varnam, was a piece by Raja Gopala Sharma about Krishna's antics and a Gopi's languish for him. It also showed the story of Gajendra Moksha in the midst of beautiful jathis and lovely musical background. Ashritha did not show any signs of being tired and withstood the stress of the Varnam well.

  After a long yet delightful event of felicitation of guests, Purandara Dasa's Devaranama ಚಂದ್ರಚೂಡ ಶಿವ ಶಂಕರ was performed to the fantastic singing prowess of Smt. Bharathi Venugopal. It was then followed by the attraction, Mayura Nrithya, which depicted the peacock in its movements, behavior and its ecstasy at the coming of the rain. It was also a real test for flexibility.
  The program was concluded by the traditional Tillana in Raga Dwijavanthi and Mangalam. Another one of Guru Smt. Shubha's disciples made her debut successfully.