When Yamini Reddy delighted rasikas with splendid Kuchipudi

It was a two-hour display of fine Kuchipudi, as danseuse Yamini Reddy regaled the audience at Dr MCRHRD Institute of Telangana as part of Nartanam Conclave recently. The evening commenced with the customary Ganpati Vandana, where the dancer invokes the elephant headed God to remove obstacles ahead of a recital. Set to Gaula ragam and Adi talam, it was just the start that the dancer needed.
Yamini was at her best with Usha Parinayam that was set to Raagamalika ragam. She impeccably captured the emotions of a damsel who’s fallen for a
lotus-eyed prince, only to realise that all of it was a dream. Then came the Tiruvathriyur Thyagayyar-composed padavarnam, Swamini Rammanavey in Kedaram ragam. here, Yamini portrayed the yearning of a young girl who longed to become one with Lord Shiva through her sakhi (friend).
The rasabhedam in Arabhi ragam was undoubtedly the highlight of the recital, where the composition described the beauty of Krishna as the embodiment of eternal bliss. Yamini’s footwork patterns on the rim of a brass plate, followed by the mangalam ensured that the recital ended on a high note.