Sundara Kandam by Anitha Guhas Bharathanjali

A spellbinding dance ballet brings the Ramayana to life through powerful narration, breathtaking choreography, and stirring music. 

An evocative blend of storytelling and movement takes centre stage in this stunning dance ballet, capturing a spectrum of emotions – romance, valour, despair, compassion, and awe. The performance breathes life into pivotal moments from two significant chapters of the Ramayana – Kishkindha Kandam, leading to Sundara Kandam – which chronicle Hanuman’s journey, the slaying of Vali, and Sita’s unwavering strength in Lanka. 

The performance unfolds with Lord Rama’s anguish over his separation from Sita, the thrilling arrival of Hanuman, the dramatic slaying of Vali, and Hanuman’s awe-inspiring Vishwaroopam (cosmic form). As the story transitions into the action-filled Sundara Kandam, Hanuman’s voyage to Lanka reveals Sita’s strength in the face of Ravana’s advances, leading to the fiery spectacle of Lankadahanam. 

Originally commissioned by the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana 2011, this breathtaking production is choreographed by the renowned Anitha Guha, a highly respected Bharatanatyam teacher from Chennai, known for training young dancers to professional excellence. A disciple of Guru Govindarajan Pillai and Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayanth, she is widely recognised for her mythological Nrithya Natakams and thematic dance productions. 

The showcase is further enriched by the striking compositions of Sri Neyveli Santhanagopalan (Sishyakulam), an acclaimed Carnatic musician celebrated for his deeply expressive concerts that intertwine bhakti (devotion) and bhava (emotion). His mastery of both vocal and instrumental music elevates the production’s musical depth, enhancing the grandeur of the Treta Yuga on stage. 

With masterful choreography, moving musical compositions, and an ensemble of acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancers, ‘Sundara Kandam’ offers an unforgettable theatrical experience that brings the timeless essence of the Ramayana to life. 

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