The University of Hyderabad witnessed an evening of classical brilliance as the Campus Cultural Centre presented Nritya Sandhya on October 10, 2025. Hosted at the Savitribai Phule Auditorium, the event featured enthralling performances in Bharatanatyam and Kathak, drawing a large and appreciative audience comprising students, faculty, and cultural enthusiasts.

Bharatanatyam Segment by Department of Dance

Presented by the Department of Dance, the Bharatanatyam program opened with a Pushpanjali in ragam Arabhi, a composition by Shri Mangalamapalli Balamurali Krishna, invoking Lord Ganapathi, the remover of obstacles. This invocatory piece was choreographed and presented by Smt. Vamsi Madhavi, faculty member and a seasoned Bharatanatyam artist who initially trained at Kalakshetra and holds a Master’s degree from the Department of Dance, S.N School. Madhavi is also currently pursuing training in Dhrupad music.

The performance transitioned to the traditional Alaripu, a rhythmic piece that unfolds with increasingly expansive movements, performed by second-year Master’s students Srividya, Devananda, and Jecy.

Next was Ananda Natanidum, a padam in ragam Kedaragowla, composed by Shri Papanasam Shivam. This keertanam evoked the cosmic, ecstatic dance of Lord Shiva in his yogic bliss, a sublime expression of movement and rhythm. The dancers brought this meditative theme to life with powerful abhinaya and fluid choreography.

The Bharatanatyam segment concluded with a vibrant Tillana in ragam Suruti, composed by Shri Mysore Vasudevacharya and choreographed by Dr. Vijay Madhavan, a visiting faculty at the department of Dance. He is widely recognized for his contribution to both performance and pedagogy. A recipient of the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Dr. Madhavan has performed at prestigious festivals including the Birmingham Festival, Kalanidhi Festival – Toronto. He is an A-graded artist of Doordarshan Kendra.

Bharatanatyam program coordination included Introduction by Pranathi, second-year Master’s student of Kuchipudi, and Audio and lighting by Srividya, first-year Master’s student of Bharatanatyam

Kathak Performance by Pandit Rajendra Gangani

The second half of Nritya Sandhya featured a spellbinding Kathak recital by the legendary Pandit Rajendra Gangani, one of the most eminent exponents of the Jaipur Gharana.

A disciple of his father, Pt. Kundanlal Gangani, Panditji began his journey at the age of four and has since become known for his masterful command of rhythm, technical brilliance, and ability to integrate classical purity with innovative choreography. His performances have graced international platforms, including Queen Elizabeth Hall – London and the Festival of India – USSR, among many others. He is a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and is globally celebrated for his contribution to preserving and evolving the classical Kathak tradition.

Beyond his excellence in dance, Pandit Rajendra Gangani is also a gifted musician, proficient in tabla, harmonium, and pakhawaj—a rare combination that adds exceptional musical depth to his Kathak compositions. His unwavering dedication to preserving and advancing the Kathak tradition has earned him numerous prestigious accolades, including the Sangeet Raj, Shastriya Nritya Shiromani, Best Dancer Award (China), Nritya Chudamani, and the highly esteemed Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, presented to him in 2003 by the then President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

In a landmark achievement, 1,484 dancers performed under his choreography at Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Madhya Pradesh, in February 2024, setting a Guinness World Record. For this monumental feat, he was honored with the Best Choreographer’s Award.

Throughout his illustrious career, Pt. Gangani has served as a torchbearer of the Jaipur Gharana, performing and teaching across major festivals in Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa. His contributions continue to inspire new generations of artists, solidifying his legacy as one of the most influential figures in the world of classical Indian dance.

In his UoH performance, Pandit Gangani opened with the iconic composition Om Namah Shivaya, followed by several graceful and powerful pieces, including a devotional bhajan of Sant Sri Surdas ji. His jugalbandi with the tabla created a thrilling climax to the evening, captivating the audience with its intensity and artistry.

Manasa, a final year student from the Department of Music introduced the kathak artists.

Audience and Reception

The event saw enthusiastic participation from the university community. The performances were not only aesthetically enriching but also highlighted the university’s commitment to promoting India’s rich classical heritage through academic and cultural collaborations.

Nritya Sandhya was the third program in the Campus Cultural Centre’s semester cultural series for 2025, the event was organized and coordinated by Cultural Coordinator Dr.Aranyakumar from Department of Music. Dr. Pragya and Prof. Kanhaiya Lal facilitated the artists. Several students from the Department of Music including Namrata, Sonali, Madhuri, Abhinash, Suresh, Rajani, and Vijay volunteered in organizing the event.

For further updates on upcoming cultural programs, stay tuned to Campus Cultural Centre announcements via official Gapps communication.