Narthaki 2015
Some of the young dancers at the Festival every year surprise by other dimensions to their personality. On being told after Bharatanatyam dancer Debaldev Jana’s opening performance that by profession he is a brilliant mathematician, the young audience was quick to applaud the fact. Such is the fascination the generation next has for classical dance. The performance was a rare varnam in which the VirahotkantithaNayika, played by a male dancer, albeit more with physical action than subtle facial expression, is seen sharing with her sakhi her longing for a union with - not Krishna or any other lover but - the Lord of Creation, Shiva! His tillana was on a Balamuralikrishna composition.