Publications
Keeping
the cultural flag high- Ragasudha in Great Britain
The Maha Kumbabhishekam including the Prana Prathisthapana (Installation
of Deities) was celebrated recently from 23 August to 27 August 2006 at
Sri Venkateswara Temple at Tividale in Great Britain with religious
fervour and pomp, the news of which was also covered by BBC. In all,
about 10000 devotees were said to have attended the event.
The dance presentation by Ragasudha Vinjamuri, a natya kusumam offered
to the feet of Lord Venkateswara during the same on 25 August included
Sankeertanas of 15th century saint composer Tallapaka
Annamacharya.
Opening with an arresting Vinnapalu Vinavale in Bhoopala Raga asking the
Lord to open his lotus eyes and resume to his divine duties, Sudha
engaged the audience quite charmingly through the lyrically rich
composition.
This was followed by a fascinating Gandhamu Pusevele in Bhairavi Raga- a
beautiful description of Goddess Alamelu Manga. The audience were
engrossed in the gripping gestures and gesticulations of the performer.
Next was Imdariki abhayammu in Samantha Raga- revealing the greatness of
the Lord’s golden hand in different incarnations of Vishnu for
destroying evil and establishing Dharma. What was represented in lyrics
was exhibited through awesome manifestations by Ragasudha.
Finally came the popular and ever enjoyable Adivo Alladivo in Hindola
Raga which Annamayya was said to have sung in devotional ecstasy upon
sighting Tirumala hills, describing them as holy abode for salvation.
This has surely taken the spectators to a distinctly different state.
Sudha has displayed a deep and profound bhakti bhava (devotion) during
this song.
The rendition ended traditionally with Benediction ( Mangalam) to Lord
Venkateswara and His consort Alamelu Manga.The music was conceived and
recorded by Guru Dr.Uma Rama Rao who has also done the Nattuvangam. An
absolutely superb visual and aural delight for the evening.
Ragasudha’s performances are also reported in Narthaki website from time
to time. She is listed in theSeer, the London online directory of
artistes, which is a key research & communication resource for London’s
local authorities, Arts Council England and Arts policy makers. She is
currently working for Oxford College, as a trainer in Travel Management
teaching Virgin Atlantic and IATA courses.
With these facets and assets, we wish her many more mile-posts in the
coming times.
Back
