Enarada, Mangalore, June 22, 2013:
By C D Souza
Bharatanatyama dance lovers got a rare opportunity to witness Dr Alexandra Szoke, a Hungarian, who performed a Bharatanatyam recital today, June 22nd, 2013 at Sanathana Natyalaya in Mangalore.
It was a breathtaking performance by Dr Szoke who was able to present this classical performance with just 15 months of training in Bharathnatyam during her stint in Mangalore.
Bharatanatyma dance lovers who had gathered in full number at the auditorium were stunned to see such a flawless performance by a foreigner and that too with an exposure of only 15 months.
Alexandra began her one hour performance with Ganesh Stuti followed by Ashtadekapalaka Vandana. Then there was alaripu and shivastuti followed by Narasimha Kauthwan and Devaranama of Purandaradasa. She concluded her performance with Tillana and throughout the one hour performance she was able to keep the audience spellbound by her scintillating performance.
Alexandra had come to Mangalore 18 months ago accompanying her husband Ian Cook, who is doing his PhD in Social Anthropology at the Central European University in Hungary. Dr Akexa is a social anthropologist and it was she who got her husband interested in the subject.
Alexa was first exposed to Bharathanatyam when she joined Sanathana Natyalaya, Mangalore 15 months ago when she joined Sanathana Natyalaya which was organizing a series of dance performances to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
Under the guidance of her guru Sharadamani Shekar she began to learn Bharatanatyam and instantly fell in love with the dance. “Usually it takes 3 to 4 years to give a performance of this kind for a first timer. But Alexa is quite talented and it is her dedication and practice that helped her to come out with such an excellent performance”, says Srilatha Nagaraj, one of her teachers at Sanathana Natyalaya. Alexa was also taught by another teacher Radhika Shetty of Nrathyangan Charitable Trust, who helped her to fine-tune her skills.
Srilatha pointed out that Alexa used to come for learning both in the morning and evening and she used to practice at home for nearly two hours, which showed diligence and her love for the dance. Alexa also had great respect and love for Indian art and culture which has been the cornerstone of her fine performance today.
Dr Alexa and Ian are leaving for Hungary by the end of this month and Alexa want to popularize Bharatanatyam in Hungary on her return.
