Hyderabad : ‘Essence of Life’, a unique dance performance with five different dance forms viz. Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam and Odissi inspired by the teachings of Jiddu
Krishnamurti, renowned spiritual and philosophical thinker enthralled the audience here in city on Saturday evening. The event witnessed huge turnout with  Jiddu Krishnamurthy followers and lovers of Classical Dances and Taj Vivanta was packed to its capacity.  This was second performance of the group in city and sixth across the country.

It was a soul stirring performance, be it high quality production values, sound, lighting, every small detail was given lot of importance observed Sridhar, a spectator.  The performance was amazing particularly the way Masako Ono, a Japanese girl performed Odissi observed Shanker another spectator.  I have been a regular visitor to all the programmes organised by Hydourite  and this one stands outs said Prof. Padala, another visitor to the show.

Organised as part of the ongoing Hydourite festival, the captivating performance was a rare and unusual performance in more than one ways. It was rare because five different dance forms — Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam and Odissi were combined in one single performance. Essence of Life featured prominent artists from established dance traditions viz. Achuta Manasa (Kathak), Smitha Madhav (Bharatanatyam), Prateeksha Kashi (Kuchipudi), Rashmi Menon (Mohiniattam) and Masako Ono from Japan (Odissi). All artists, below thirty years, including the Japanese girl Masako Ono from Japan performed solo in the beginning and at the ending in Thillana all of them performed simultaneously on one stage. A multi-media production by Dega Arts, Essence of Life presented teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti through the medium of music and dance.

Essence of Life was presented in three parts – The Art of Meditation, Essence of Life and the Finale – Tillana which saw all the dancers of different forms performing together. Essence of Life provided an experience that is enchanting, life affirming and invigorating all at the same time. The composition in Essence of Life had voices of renowned singers such as Padma Vibhushan Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, Padmashree Hariharan, Pt. Sanjeev Abhyankar, Pt. Raghunandan Panshikar among others. While classical dance performances take inspiration mostly from epics & mythologies, Essence of Life shared significant aspects of Jiddu Krishnamurti’s teachings through dance and music.

Through Bharatanatyam it is communicated that the Meditation is not a method or a practice. Neither a prayer nor repetition of mantra.  It is not even concentration or control of thought.  It is not a spiritual exercise.  Is an essential part of our daily life.  It is the state of the silence from which one meets daily life.

The Odissi dance dispelled the myths of meditation which were propagated from time to time.  And said these different methods and practices of Meditation make the mind dull and mechanical, it is said.  Kuchipudi dance elaborated how does awareness comes and how silent awareness leads to meditation.  Mohiniyattam highlighted the art of Meditation. And said true meditation transforms the whole world.  And added that a man who has a meditative mind is compassionate.  Kathak dance elaborated what is true silence which leads to meditation and summed up that the true silence comes naturally when the mind is totally empty.  This is true meditation, it informed.

The first part ‘The Art of Meditation’ had the dancers from different dance forms express how the need for meditation came to be, the myths of meditation, true meditation, etc. The second part ‘Essence of Life’ examined the various aspects of human problems and issues… understating our minds, freeing it from fear and problems and Can human beings change. The third and final part, the Grand Finale advocated freedom from selfishness… It is only when the self ends, the mind becomes completely free. The Grand Finale with Tillana has all the five dancers come together dancing in their different styles and creating aesthetic patterns. Each dancer interpreted the philosophy in their own styles along with the musical compositions, the English Voice over and Sanskrit lyrics (which are the translations of the English voice over) in the background.

According to Dega Devkumar Reddy, Founder of Dega Arts, which has Conceptualized & Produced Essence of Life said, “Essence of Life took birth due to the desire to convey the core of Jiddu Krishnamurti’s teachings through a medium that could bring it alive for anyone interested in exploring the existential crisis. It attempts to explore the vital human problems and issues through these ancient dance forms and music. In these musical compositions, the English Voice over and Sanskrit lyrics which are the translations of the English voice over, speak of the various human problems that we experience in our lives.”

In a world of chaos and disorder Teachings of Krishnamurti hold immense value. The Essence of Life is a great effort in dance and music form conveying the Teachings said Mr. Vishwanath Alluri, Founder & Executive Chairman, IMImobile, which is one of the sponsors of Hydourite speaking on the occasion.

Mr. Jaikant Shroff, General Manager, Taj Vivanta, which is the hospitality partner for Essence of Life said that the Taj group of hotels has always been supporting the cause of art, music and community at large and we feel extremely happy and proud to be associated with the events organised by Hydourite 2013.

Mr. Ramakrishna Achanta, Mr. C.S. Manoj the duo behind Hydourite informed that Hydourite is the cultural festival which brings for all the art loving Hyderabadis an assortment of enthralling shows from artists across the country and the globe. Hyderabad can now proudly claim to be a city of not only confluence of cultures, but also inclusiveness of cultures… welcoming with open arms commoners, communities and cultures into its folds, they informed. Adding further Capt. Anand of Mira Events, another force behind Hydourite stated that the distinctive factor that sets Hydourite apart from any other festivals is that all the events are free but by invitation only. Across 100 days every year, Hydourite brings the finest cultural performances to Hyderabad.