Pune : Dance Ballet ‘Rajas Sukumar’ Completes 20 years!

Pune, 17th February 2024: Well-known Bharatnatyam exponent Dr. Swati Daithankar’s ‘Rajas Sukumar’, the one-of-its-kind Bharatnatyam Dance Ballet performed on Marathi devotional poems (Abhang) completes 20 years. To mark this occasion, a special program will be held on Wednesday 21st February 2024, 5.30pm at Tilak Smarak Mandir. The program entry is free for all on a first come first served basis with a few seats reserved for invitees.

Speaking about the program, Dr. Swati Daithankar said, “20 years back on 21st February, HMV Saregama produced the first dance ballet VCD of ‘Rajas Sukumar’. This was the world’s first dance ballet VCD based on the recital of Marathi devotional poems (Abhang) sung in praise of Lord Vitthal and was released then at the hands of legendary Santoor maestro Padma Vibhushan Pt. Shivkumar Sharma at Tilak Smarak Mandir itself.”

Adding further she said, “Post the VCD release, we conducted many programs across the globe and got an overwhelming response. As we now complete 20 years, we wanted to recreate the special event to relive the memories of the event and pay our gratitude to everyone who has supported us in our journey.”

‘Rajas Sukumar’ is a brainchild of Dr Swati Daithankar, who along with 25 disciples will perform on 21st February to mark the 20 years of this unique program.  Lord Krishna’s role in this ballet will be performed by Dr. Swati Daithankar’s daughter and disciple Nupur Daithankar while Pt. Dr Dhananjay Daithankar, a senior disciple of Padma Vibhushan Pt. Shivkumar Sharma has composed the music for the program. The audio recording for the program has been done by renowned vocalists Shounak Abhishekhi and Anuradha Marathe.

On this occasion, there will be a special felicitation program for all technicians, artists, and co-organizers related to ‘Rajas Sukumar’. Neerja Apte will moderate the program.