About 100 child dancers perform Bharatanatyam at Nataraj Nilu Phule auditorium in Pimple Gaurav

Pune, October 28: About 100 child dancers took the stage at the Natsamrat Nilu Phule Natyagruha in Pimple Gaurav on Sunday. The occasion was "Natya Vaibhavam", a Bharatanatyam presentation organised by Maha Natyalaya. More than 600 people attended.

Graceful mudras, intricate footwork and the rhythm of Carnatic music were seen together on stage. The programme celebrated the hard work of young artists and the appeal of India's classical dance tradition.

Most of the dancers were children aged between six and 16. They performed pieces at different stages of training. The beginners showed simplicity and innocence, while the more advanced students displayed precision and depth of expression. The evening showed how much discipline, patience and artistic growth Bharatanatyam demands.

Dr Mahalakshmi Krishnamurthy, founder of Maha Natyalaya, is a student of guru Smt Maithili Raghavan. For her, the performance was a chance to bring together her students' learning and their growing confidence on stage.

Dr Krishnamurthy said the programme reflects the efforts of students learning the art at different levels. The performances showed that with steady practice, children move beyond basic mudras to coordination, an understanding of rhythm and expressive performance.

The beginners won the audience over with simple, melodious pieces. The experienced dancers presented complex footwork, well-composed choreography and abhinaya, the art of conveying emotion and meaning through facial expressions, hand gestures and body movements.

The difference between the two groups brought out an important point about classical dance training: artistic growth is gradual and rests on regular practice, attention to detail and an understanding of rhythm and expression.

The young artists got a chance to test their learning before a large audience. Applause rang out through the performances and appreciation grew as the programme went on. The participation of children and teenagers also showed the role dance institutions play in connecting the new generation with classical arts and building confidence on stage.

A key part of "Natya Vaibhavam" was live Carnatic music, which gave the performances rhythmic precision and musical depth. The accompanying artists were vocalist Shri Rohan Pillai, Shri Vijay Balaji on violin and Shri Pancham Upadhye on mridangam. Dr Krishnamurthy performed as nattuvanar, handling the rhythmic elements that guide the dancers' movements.

The coordination among the vocalist, violinist, mridangam player and dancers made music and movement complement each other. The live accompaniment also highlighted the close bond between Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music, in which rhythm is the foundation of footwork and the interpretation of the music shapes the dancers' expressions. The devotional colour of the music deepened the mood, and the audience stayed engrossed through the evening.

Bharatanatyam is not just learning a sequence of mudras. It involves physical discipline, rhythmic precision, an understanding of music and the ability to convey emotions and stories through performance. Young students take time to master all of this. Performances such as "Natya Vaibhavam" give them a chance to show their progress and become comfortable before an audience.

As founder of Maha Natyalaya, Dr Krishnamurthy is guiding students in this classical dance, drawing on the training and tradition she received from her guru, Smt Maithili Raghavan.

The participation of about 100 students brought together learners of varying experience, united by an interest in Bharatanatyam. The evening ended with the applause of more than 600 spectators. For the young dancers it was a moment of recognition for their preparation and effort, and for the guru a chance to see her students share their learning through performance.

Through "Natya Vaibhavam", Maha Natyalaya thus presented an evening weaving together music, movement and tradition, with young dancers at the centre of a celebration of Bharatanatyam in Pune.