Chennai, January 30th, 2024 — Bharata Kalanjali kickstarted their highly anticipated third edition of Jharna, their annual natya festival, on January 27-28, 2024, at the TEACH Auditorium, SPASTN, Taramani, Chennai. The event witnessed an overwhelming response from art enthusiasts who were captivated by the performances showcasing a myriad of compelling narratives.
During the January 27th showcase, Jharna spotlighted two promising Bharatanatyam talents: Madhumanti Banerjee and Keerthana Ravi. Madhumanti mesmerized the audience with her original piece depicting the dual perception of Ganga, inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s Bengali poem, a creation nurtured over seven years. Later in the day, Keerthana captivated with her unique creation, “Movements of Resistance,” weaving stories and narratives that she believes find resolution through art.
On January 28th, the day began with Sandhya Udupa’s mesmerizing performance, “Kaala Tarka,” inspired by her grandmother’s tales, delving into the concept of time. The evening concluded with Sujatha Nair’s enchanting Mohiniyattam, which transitioned from Varnam to a Nirupan in Marathi. The performance concluded with an evocative Malayalam poem, “Krishna Nee Enne Ariyilla” by Sugatha Kumari.
As we look forward to the second week of Jharna, we invite you to witness Bharatanatyam performances by Snigdha Menon, Anil V Iyer, Subashri Sasidharan, Shubhamani Chandrasekar, along with soulful melodies of Vandana Srinivasan’s Madras Mehfil.
As an institution dedicated to promoting, celebrating, and inspiring art in its true spirit, Bharata Kalanjali has evolved Jharna into a distinctive platform that showcases the extraordinary work of emerging artists.
Six dancers were selected from 95 talented applicants. In addition to the featured emerging dancers, the festival will also present enthralling performances by two distinguished artists.
Jharna stands as a beacon of artistic exploration, delving into the intrinsic qualities of art while pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity. This unique festival achieves a dual purpose: providing an intimate live audience experience and sharing the art and spirit globally.
Get your tickets for Jharna: https://www.mdnd.in/home/organiser/bharatakalanjali
