The Sangeet Natak Akademi organized Nritya Nidhi - A Festival of Treasure of Indian Dance from 24 to 28 April 2005 at Kamani Auditorium presenting four eminent dancers.
Shri R. Venkataraman, former President of India, inaugurated the festival.
Programme schedule

Pandit Birju Maharaj - 24April
Bharatanatyam by Smt. Dr. Vyjayantimala Bali - 25 April,
Kuchipudi by Shri Vedantam Satyanarayan Sarma - 27April
Kathakali by Shri Raman Kutty Nair - 28 April

SUNDAY 24 APRIL

BIRJU MAHARAJ: Kathak

Opening the evening with Krishna Chalisa, Pt Birju Maharaj will perform rhythmic compositions Teental (16 beats) and Dhamar Tal (14 beats). Some rare compositions of Bindadin Maharaj will be the highlight of the abhinaya, that is, 'bhav batana'.

Musicians
Chandrachur Bhattacharya: Sitar
Utpal Ghoshal: Tabla
Debashish Sarkar: Vocal
Jai Kishan Maharaj: Pakhawaj
Deepak Maharaj: Parhant

MONDAY 25 APRIL

VYJAYANTIMALA BALI: Bharatanatyam

Shri Krishna Jananam (from the Srimad Bhagavadam) A solo production Concept and thematic presentation based on the ragam-tanam-pallavi format

All music lovers and rasikas are well aware of regam-tanam and pallavi being the most important branch of Carnatic music. A vidwan's creative talent, his mastery over rhythm, and grasp of technical details, are all put to test here.

Keeping this in mind, Dr Vyjayantimala has been working on a thematic presentation entirely conceived by her adapting this ragam-tanam-pallavi format to dance form for the first time, adhering to the glorious tradition of Bharatanatyam and not compromising its idiom.

Shri Krishna Jananam is a woven into a theme on advent of Sri Krishna. It is presented in three parts. Dr Bali begins with raga-alapana with sahitya taken from the Srimad Bhagavadam and sung as ragamalika in the pattern of sloka rendering.

The second part, pallavi, begins with tanam describing the advent of Krishna. Dr Bali has set tanam with sahitya in raga Nattai and to different talas (talamalika).

The third and final part begins with Yasoda waking up and seeing child Krishna.

Dr Bali has set the varnam pattern present in the Bharatanatyam margam. It begins with the traditional teermanam and rounds off with a fine finish arudi.

Pallavi grand finale: Dr Bali concludes with a 'mangala sloka'.

Musicians
Saraswati: Nattuvangam
Preeti Mahesh: Vocal
Ramakrishnan: Mridangam
Sivaraman: Violin

Rani Balachander: Stage Assistant
Sai Venkatesh: Director (Light)

WEDNESDAY 27 APRIL

VEDANTAM SATYANARAYANA SARMA: Kuchipudi

Melavimpu: Guru Stuti, Vedapravachanam
Rangapuja: Holy water is sprinkled to consecrate the stage, and this is followed by the hoisting of Indra's flags, to ward off evil, Incense and lights are then offered to the deities presiding over the stage and flowers are offered to the deities as well as to the spectators. Amba Stuti, in praise of Parvathi, is sung. Lord Ganesa appears on the stage and blesses the performers and the spectators.

The Sutradhara introduces the play to the audience.

Vinayakastuti

The play
Satyabhama enters with a song introducing herself as the daughter of Sathrajith and claiming to be the most beautiful among women and the dearest of her Lord.

The Sutradhara asks her the name of her Lord. She says that her Lord is the one who holds a conch-shell. The Sutradhara says that as even jangams and devaras carry conch-shells when they go a begging, her description does not reveal much to him. Satyabhama then says that her Lord wears a chakra, but the Sutradhara explains that even potters use chakras. Satyabhama further states that her Lord wears makara-kundalas on his ears, and to this the Sutradhara replies that even Brahmins adorn themselves with similar ornaments. Satyabhama goes on to explain that her Lord is the second of three brothers. The Sutradhara then presses her again to reveal her Lord's name, but she frankly tells him that she is too shy to do so.

The Sutradhara asks Satyabhama as to why her Lord, Sri Krishna, has left her. She blames her Lord for neglecting her, but the Sutradhara explains that her Lord must have gone because of her failure to give him comfort and happiness.

Satyabhama sings of her agony in love and of her mad craving for her Lord's company.

Sutradhara advises her to write a letter to her Lord, expressing regret for her behavior. Satyabhama writes a letter, couching it in words of endearment, recalling the moments she and he had spent together, and imploring him to return to per.

She gives the letter to the Sutradhara requesting him to carry it to her Lord. He agrees, but suggests that she give him a suitable reward for doing the work. She offers all her ornaments. The Sutradhara, however, asks for only one ornament — her nose-ring, and she gives it, albeit reluctantly, for no woman of respect would like to part with such a personal adornment. The Sutradhara leaves, carrying Satyabhama's letter.

Sri Krishna is alone when he receives the Sutradhara with Satyabhama's message. The Sutradhara also personally explains the great suffering of Satyabhama and entreats Sri Krishna to return to her.

Sri Krishna returns to Satyabhama. She feigns anger, which makes him, in turn offer apologies to her. Both then get reconciled.

Cast
Satyabhama: Dr Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma
Krishna: Chinta Ramamurthy
Sutradhara: China Sri Ramamurthy

Dancers
Vempati, Satyavara Prasad, M. Komalababu

Musicians
Mahakali Sreeramulu Sarma & Pasumarthy Kesava Prasad: Vocal
Josyula Krishna Murthy: Mridangam
Vempati Lakshmana Kumar: Ghatam
Pandyam Venkatarama Sarma: Violin
Indrakeeladri Sarma: Flute
S. A. Raghunath: Make-up

THURSDAY 28 APRIL

KALAMANDALAM RAMANKUTTY NAIR: Kathakali

Bali Vijaya (Bali's Victory)
by Kallur Nambudiripad (1774-1833)

Scene 1: Ravana, Mandodari

Narrator: One day in his garden in Lanka, / With his senses all on fire,
The ten-headed demon king Ravana, / To his wife spoke of words of desire:

Ravana: Oh beautiful, darling Mandodari, / With moon-like face and lotus eyes, My twenty arms long to embrace you, / My ten mouths are full of sighs;
They long to kiss you. What is your answer?

Mandodari: Beloved husband, dearest treasure, / Like the god of love and beauty, Kama;
Full of strength beyond all measure! / Your sweet words fill my mind with joy.
But your invitation is hard to answer: / I wonder which beautiful face to kiss,
When each one promises perfect bliss?

Scene 2: Ravana, Sage Narada

Narrator: Sage Narada, wise old traveler / Of the three worlds, learned from Indra
That Ravana had conquered Devaloka, / Home of the gods, and now was master
Of all three worlds and full of pride, / So consoling Indra, to Lanka he sped
To humble the arrogant Ravana, / To let him feel defeat.
For his instrument he chose King Bali. / Ruler of monkey-land, son of Indra;
And for his means used flattery, / With radiant smile he addressed King Ravana:

Narada: Oh Lord of Lanka, son of Kaikasi / And Sage Visravas, Victory be yours!
Oh husband of beautiful Mandodari, / Perfect success to all your endeavours!
Oh brother of rakshasi belle Surpanakha. / And pious Vibhishana, strong Kumbhakarna,
Oh sincere devotee of Paramasiva, / Success, success, success, great Ravana!

Narrator: Ravana, flattered, greeted the sage / With respect, inviting Narada to use
His own gold chair to sit upon / (For Narada had always the latest news!)

Ravana: Oh wise and knowledgeable Sage Narada, / What pleasure and honour to me is your visit visit!
I kneel before your holy feet! / All Lanka is honoured! And, please, what is it
That brings such a genius to our land? / Where have you come from? Please don't stand
One minute longer; do take my seat. / And by the way, have you heard the story
Of Ravana's feats and well-earned glory? / I've conquered the devas themselves; don't you know it?
Indra himself was captured and bound / By my mighty warrior son Indrajit,
Who brought him here? Please, do not doubt it. / T'was only when Brahma himself came here —
¬Sorrowful, humbly beseeching me — / That I released Indra most graciously;
My kindness is marvelous, no doubt about it! / Is there another so magnanimous, so mighty?
And tell me please, do you happen to know / Of anyone else who is willing to fight me?
News comes to a regular traveler like you, / If I've other brave enemies, please tell me who.

Narada: Oh gracious and powerful lord of the universe! / No flatterer I, my words you must hear;
I'll tell you the truth! Everyone knows / Of your mighty exploits and Indrajit's deed.
The gods and all creatures tremble with fear / At the sound of your name, oh courage embodied,
Militant, brilliant, generous, talented, / Masterful Ravana, king without peer!
Still, truth demands and I will not shirk / My duty, There's one little thing I must mention:
King Bali of monkey-land's bold contention / That you are but a straw! Can you imagine?!
Against the world-wide admiration / And respect for your feats, he speaks such words
As I fear to whisper! Well, perhaps it is nothing / To you, great Ravana — such an impertinent,
Insignificant foe! A monkey! / Yet King of Kishkindha he is, this egotist:
Perhaps his insults, his bold allegations, / Should not go unchecked. How dare he say
That you and a blade of grass are equal / In strength and importance?! Such calumny!
Such talk from even so minor a foe / Should not be allowed to spread further, such lies!
You really should cut him down to size!

Ravana: Amazing! Fantastic! What effrontery! / A monkey my enemy! What a laugh!
He'll conquer the conqueror of the gods, / The mighty Ravana?! This Bali,
This foolish monkey, belittles me?! / Though ashamed to bother with such a foe,
I agree with you I should let him know / Who rules the world. Let us go right now
And bring him here! I'll make him bow!

Narada: Oh wise decision, great Ravana, / To put this enemy in his place,
To put a stop to impertinence. / Such egotism invites reprisal;
Small though he is, and the battle unequal, / His loose talk is really beyond endurance!

Cast
Ravana: Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair
Mandodari: Kalamandalam Kuttykrishnan
Narada: Kalamandalam Balasubrahmanian

Accompanists
Madambi Subrhamanian Namboodiri (Kalamandalam) & Kalamandalam Sree Kumar: Music
Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan: Chenda
Kalamandalam Ramankutty: Maddalam
Kalamandalam Sivaraman: Chutti
Appunni Tharakan & Kuttan: Green-room
P. Appukuttan: Manager

The programme notes published here are by the artists.
The synopsis of Bali Vijaya is by Agatha Jane.