Revisiting Old Delhi - Jainism and Shivaism

March 24, 2012

Do you remember the guided tour we had in Old Delhi? Kevin, Rosie and I decided to return to Old Delhi to visit the other monuments and places of interest that we missed. The main destination was the red fort but of course, there's always other things to see in between.

According to Wikipedia (yes, I am quoting Wikipedia!!!), the Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, or the Red Temple, is the oldest and best-known Jain temple in Delhi. The Red Temple is directly across the Red Fort. The Lal Mandir was originally built in 1656. Red sandstone was used to build the temple for its current state, thus earning it the name "Lal Mandir".

Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir (Red Temple)

Ugadi Festival - Curtain Call and After Party

March 23, 2012

So, as if the dance performances were not a treat enough for us, we got invited to the after performance dinner too! But before that, photo opp first with Abhinaya, Seetha ji, and Mr. Nagajothy.

Photo opp! Kevin's not in photo since he was the one who took this.
(Abhinaya found my dupatta/scarf pretty. Explained that I wore it for
the occasion. Design had the Apsaras, the traditional dancers of Cambodia)

Ugadi Festival - Brindavani Thillana

March 23, 2012

For the finale, the group performed the famous Brindavani Thillana.

The opening pose. The most dramatic entrance of the night!

Brindavani Thillana explores the technical side of Kuchipudi that involves only the Nritta or pure dance of Kuchipudi.

I wonder what kind of discipline is required to be able to dance like these graceful Nritas!

Ugadi Festival - Adivo

March 23, 2012

This is a kirtanam by Annamayya. Despite the rigorous religious period he lived in, he was the first from his time to oppose superstitions and caste differences in his poetry and he mainly composed songs that were spiritual.

The formations look like the real statues of deities

Ugadi Festival - Shivashtakam

March 23, 2012

Shivashtakam is a set of eight verses written by the greatest Hindu philosopher Adi Sankaracharya. This is a vigorous dance that brings out many karanas or the athletic side of classical dance that has been mentioned in the Natya Sastra.

This is the solo performance of Abhinaya. I could swear, Seetha ji was looking at her very closely
during the performance. hehehe. Oh well. No worries. She was like a celestial dancer!

Ugadi Festival - Gajavadana Beduve

March 23, 2012

Gajavadana Beduve starts with the dancers going in a circular pattern on the stage.

This formation was repeated several times

According to Indian theatrical tradition, the Ashtadikpalakaas, the eight gods of directions, is prayed to in order to calm and pacify them.

Ugadi Festival - Ma Telugu Talli Ki

March 23, 2012

This dance is officially the first actual dance performance, as Vani Ki Vandanam is technically more of a ceremonial dance. :)

Look closely into their eyes--they speak volumes