Port Blair, March 5: The two-day 'Shruti Amrut' festival concluded at DBRAIT Auditorium today with lively presentations by the noted Bharatnatyam exponent, Ms Alarmel Valli and renowned vocalist Dr. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande which captivated the packed to capacity auditorium till the end of the programme. The two-day 'Shruti Amrut' festival organized by the Ministry of Culture, GoI, in collaboration with SPIC MACAY & Deptt. of Art & Culture, A&N Administration. The Adhyaksha Zilla Parishad, South Andaman, Smt. Pramila Kumari was the chief guest of today’s programme. The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS, also graced the occasion. The Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Smti Nandini Paliwal, IAS, and SPIC MACY Chairperson, Smti Rashmi Malik, senior officers of A&N Administration, general public and a large gathering of students witnessed the programme.
Bharatnatyam exponent Ms Alarmel Valli captivated the audience through her skilful dance performance –Bharatnatyam. She started her performance with ‘Scent of Earth’- a tribute to Prakriti-celebrating nature in many moods followed by Alarulu Kuiryagan, a composition of 15 th Centure depicting goddess Alamelu Manga as a celestial dancer. Ms Alarmel Valli was accompanied by CK Vasudevan on Nattuvangam, Vocal by Vasudha Ravi, KP Nandini on Violin, Shaktivel Muruganadan on Mridamgam and lighting by Murugan during her performance. The presentation of the dance form on Unnineer Vikinan - an ancient Tamil Sangam poem captured a moment of delicate transition between childhood & adolescent was the highlight of her presentation which was presented especially for the students present in good numbers in the auditorium.
In her brief address before concluding her performance with ‘Nrittalahari’, Ms Valli showered all praise for SPIC MACAY and A&N Administration for meticulously arranging the function. She also acknowledged the warmth received during her stay here and was impressed by the thouhgtful & helping nature of the people of Isles.
The renowned Indian classical vocalist, Vidushi Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande captivated audience through her performance during the second part of today’s programme. Dr Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande performed Raag Sri, Basant and Bandish of Thumhri & Tarana and some Holi songs based on Raag Basant etc. with her tanpura in the program and was accompanied by Shri Gyaneshwar Sonwani on Harmonium and Shri Vinod Lele on Tabala. Her performance on Radha Krishna ki Holi- ‘Sakal Brij Dhoom Machi Hai’ drew loud applause from the audience.
In her brief address, Dr Ashwini thanked SPIC MACAY and A&N Administration for providing her an opportunity to perform for the audience of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Informing about her visit to Cellular Jail, She said her visit to Cellular Jail and performing in front of this august gathering makes her feel that all Indians are one.
The Adhyaksha ZPSA, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration the Commissioner-cum-Secretary also presented mementos to all the artistes on the occasion. Dr. Rashida Iqbal, Assistant Director, Deptt of Art & Culture enlightened the gathering about the significance of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and presented a self composed poem on the role of Islands in freedom struggle of India. Smti Raji, Faculty, DBRAIT coordinated the programme.