Brochure - Yuva Bharati

Artists
Kasi Ayosla has been a disciple of Guru Viji Prakash Director of Shakti
Dance Company Los Angeles, California for the past fourteen years. He
has toured with the Shakti Dance Company to Canada, Mexico and
across the United States. Kasi has also had the opportunity to tour with
Mythili Prakash to Naples, Italy, and accompany her in Nattuvangum in
various solo productions. Currently he is a teacher at the Shakti School
of Bharata Natyam and is active in many dance endeavors such as
Arangetrams and productions. He is a student at Pierce College and
hopes to pursue dance as a career.
Akhila Takkalapalli commenced her Kuchipudi dance tutelage under
Smt. Sobha Naidu. In 2000 she became a disciple of Smt. Sasikala
Penumarthi in Atlanta. Akhila playes lead roles alongside Smt. Sasikala
in numerous productions over the years. After receiving her bachelor’s
degree at the University of California, Berkeley in 2007, Akhila moved to
Atlanta to advance her dance training. She performed her
Rangapravesam in 2009. She now continues to deepen her training in
Kuchipudi under the guidance of both Sasikala Penumarthi and Smt.
Bala Kondala Rao, one of Guru Vempati’s foremost disciples, in Vizag,
India. Alongside dance, she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in
the medical field.
Arun Mathai studied Bharatanatyam under the guidance of Smt.
Sundara Swaminathan, at Kala Vandana Dance Center, San Jose. In the
Summer of 2000, he became one of the first male dancers in the United
States to complete his Arangetram. Arun moved to Los Angeles to
attend USC, where he began to explore other styles of dance, including
tap, jazz, ballet, modern, hip hop, bhangra, and bollywood. After
graduating with a BS in Business Administration, Arun joined the
working world and, very soon thereafter, blue13 Dance Company. He is
currently the Associate Artistic Director of blue13 and a Financial
Analyst at the LA County Museum of Art. In addition to his work with
blue13, Arun dances as a guest artist with Shakti Dance Company and
Jamal Dance Art Theater, based in Los Angeles, and Manu Kala Mandir,
based in Calgary.
Yuva Yuva Bharati
Bharati
presents
Kasi Ayosla, Arun Mathai and Akhila
Takkalapalli
December 3rd, 2011, 4:00 pm
at Cubberley Theater, Palo Alto
www.yuvabharati.org
Program
Nrittanjali by Kasi
Gambhira Nattai – Khandatriputa Talam
Choreography: Mythili Prakash
A piece of abstract movement (Nritta), in which the dancer invokes the
sacred energy of the space and welcomes the audience.
Ananda Nadamidum Gajamukhane by Arun
Abhogi - Adi - Composer: Madurai T. Sethuraman
Choreographer: Sundara Swaminathan
This dance describes the blissful dance of Lord Ganesha. With
complicated rhythm and melodious music, he sways gracefully during
his playful dance and provides blessings to all.
Jathiswaram by Arun and Kasi
Ragam: Attana Talam: Adhi
Choreography: Viji Prakash
An energetic item where the dancers present pure Nritta to bring alive
the beauty of Bharata Natyam.
Pahi Pahi Maam Tarangam by Akhila
Ragam: Ragamalika
Composer: Narayana Theertha
Choreographer: Sasikala Penumarthi
This Tarangam sings the Victorious Gopala’s many great leelas on earth,
His acts of supreme Grace. The dancer depicts 2 stories or leelas of

Krishna. First one is slaying of demon Pootana and upheaval of Krishna’s
childhood friend Kuchela from dire poverty.
The devotee surrenders to Lord Krishna and prays that she may be
made worthy devotee of Such a One. Lord Krishna performs His leelas
with supreme skill and grace, with a smile as it were—as suggested in
the skillful footwork on a brass plate performed to a rhythmic beat.
Rama Rama Prana Sakhi by Arun
Ragam Bhairavi – Talam Adi
Composer: Kshetrayya
Choreographer: Bragha Bessell
Krishna sits, awaiting news of his beloved Radha, who angrily left his
side. Hearing from his friend that she will not return, Krishna compares
his plight with that of Rama when Sita was taken away by Ravana in the
forest.
Kalinga Nartana - Kasi
Gambhira Nattai - Talam: Adi
Composer: Oothukadu Venkatasubbaiyer
Choreography: Mythili Prakash
A vibrant piece in which the valor of Krishna is displayed as he dances
upon the hood of the snake Kaliya. This dance symbolizes the falling of
the human ego, which resides deep within all human beings.
Intermission
Padam - Chitike Vasithey by Kasi
Ragam: Kalyani - Talam: Adi
Composer: Sarangapani
Choreography: Bragha Bessel
A quite unusual padam, where Krishna beckons to a gopi in hope of
having her company. When the gopi ignores him and continues to walk
away, Krishna's ego is a little hurt. He says with much pride, "At the
snap of my fingers, I can beacon any woman I want. Who do you think
you are?"
Parulanna Mata (Javali) by Akhila
Ragam: Kaapi - Talam: Rupaka
Compser: Dharmapuri Subbarayar
Choreographer: Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam
In this javali a nayika (female character), characterized as
“Svadhinpathika,” suspects that another woman is trying to change her
lover’s mind about her. Lamenting how the other woman has trapped
him in her net, the nayika of this poem gently tries to turn his heart back
towards her. Finally she asserts that she is his lawful wife and asks him
to trust in their love.
Maa Telugu Thalli performed and choreographed by Kasi
Ragam: Ragamallika - Talam: Kanda Chapu
Composer: Sankarambadi Sundaraachari
A beautiful composition in which the greatness of the state of Andra
Pradesh is depicted. The image of the mother (thalli) is used as a
metaphor for all the prosperity and wealth of the region. She is the one
who has fertile lands; she is the one whose compassion protects the
people; she is the one whose praise is sung time and time again. She is
our mother, and will forever reside in our hearts.
Thillana by Arun
Ragam: Hindolam - Talam: Khanda Eka
Composer: Kalidasa Nilakanta Iyer
Choreographer: Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale
Thillana consists of passages of pure dance, in varying rhythmic
patterns, which are woven through a musical refrain and end in a short
verse: “Beautiful Goddess of Kanchipuram, I am always singing your
praises. Please look on me with compassion.”
Thillana by Akhila
Ragam: Ragamalika - Talam: Adi
Writer/Composer: Balamuralikrishna
Choreographer: Smt. Sasikala Penumarthi
In this brilliant thillana composed by Balamuralikrishna, the dancer
dedicates the music that has moved her body and soul to the greatest
artist of them all, Lord Sri Krishna.
Shakti - Shudhan Nritham by Arun and Kasi
Ragam (shlokam): Revathi - Talam: Adi
Choreography & Composition: Viji Prakash
The piece is purely footwork and displays the intricacies and nuances of
rhythmic patterns in Bharata Natyam. Following this is a short shlokam
or verse.