Students of classical dance academy from Aurangabad win 9th Naional Harmony 2013 held in Pune

Students of a city-based classical dance academy made the city proud. They stood first at the 9th National Harmony 2013 - an all-India classical dance competition held in Pune recently, which saw a participation of 3500 contestants from all over India.
The group that won included students Aaditi Kulkarni, Rutuja Shah, Akshaya Patil, Pooja Bhoge, Neha Bodhke, Sakshi Kate, Gauri Deshmukh and Shrushti Halge.In the competition, the group performed Pushpanjali and Ganesh Shlokam in Hamsadhvani raga in Aaditaal.
Explaining what set their act apart, Aaditi Kulkarni said, “We performed the dance in the Kalakshetra style of bharatnatyam which involves the use of deep and forceful gestures and footwork. Thus the dance generated dynamic energy.” Aaditi also stood second in the solo competition for her Thillana performance. Another student Rutuja Shah said, “Our synchronisation and bonding was beautiful which added to the performance.”
Vikrant Vaykos, classical dancer and teacher who trained these students, said, “We performed chalan chari, which is a process of lifting one foot and putting it down. Pushpanjali begins with chalan chari. Traditionally, the dancers only walk and move from one point to another with the music. But I added more steps to make it special and that seems to have worked.”