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Yakshagana is a traditional dance-drama that has been around for at least 500 years and is unique to coastal Karnataka. It portrays episodes from Hindu epics and is highly regarded in this region. Surprisingly, Tulasi Hegde, at the age of three, made her first stage appearance in this field, possibly becoming the youngest ever to do so.

At the age of four, Tulasi, from Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district, started performing alongside leading Yakshagana artists and taking on complex roles such as Abhimanyu in the Yakshagana prasanga Krishnarjuna Kaalaga. She went on to play other characters like Angada, Lohitashwa, and Vrushasena.

Now 15 years old, Tulasi is well-known for her solo performances in Badagutittu Yakshagana. In contemporary Yakshagana performances, the style predominant in the southern coastal regions of Karnataka is called ‘Tenkutittu,’ while the style common in the northern areas is known as ‘Badagutittu.’ Tulasi’s performances, which usually last for an hour, captivate audiences with her portrayal of characters from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Gita.

Tulasi’s talent for Yakshagana was nurtured from a young age by her parents. Her mother, Gayatri Hegde, who herself cherished Yakshagana since childhood, would sing Yakshagana songs to Tulasi as lullabies. This had a lasting impact on Tulasi, who became a natural performer.

At the age of five, Tulasi started performing Yakshagana with the goal of promoting world peace. She has since given over 800 Yakshagana performances across India, at various venues including religious centers like Tirupati and Dharmasthala, literary events like Alva’s Nudisiri, and even in Mumbai.

Living in Malenadu, an idyllic area near Sirsi town in coastal Karnataka, Tulasi is currently studying in the 9th grade at Government Marikamba High School. Apart from Yakshagana, she is interested in music, drama, agriculture, and dairy farming. She has also received recognition for her performances in a science-based drama competition.

Tulasi dreams of popularizing Yakshagana throughout the country and preserving its cultural and traditional significance. She values the experiences of performing alongside Yakshagana legends and is grateful to her parents and teachers for their continuous support. Tulasi plans to further explore the world of Yakshagana and hopes to pursue a doctorate in the field.

Tulasi’s mother, Gayatri, noticed her daughter’s early passion for music, particularly Yakshagana songs. Gayatri herself had a deep love for Yakshagana since her own childhood and continued singing these songs during her pregnancy with Tulasi. Even at the age of three months, Tulasi showed a response to the songs. Recognizing her daughter’s interest, Gayatri began teaching Tulasi Yakshagana dances at a young age, and Tulasi’s ability to learn exceeded their expectations.

The panel of judges included prominent individuals from various fields:

1. Nandan Nilekani – Co-founder and chairman of Infosys, who played a crucial role in creating Aadhaar as the chairman of UDAI.
2. Prof Govindan Rangarajan – Chairman of IISc (Indian Institute of Science).
3. Viswanathan Anand – Five-time world chess champion.
4. Sangita Jindal – Chairperson of JSW Foundation, known for supporting young artists and actively involved in socially relevant projects.
5. Chetan Bhagat – Author.
6. Shaheen Mistri – CEO of Teach for India.
7. Sudha Ragunathan – Renowned Carnatic singer.
8. Rohan Verma – CEO of MapMyIndia.
9. Ankur Tewari – Acclaimed Bollywood singer, composer, and director.

India’s Best Dancer Season 3 is about to reveal its Top 5 contestants as they compete in the “Race to Finale”. The remaining participants – Anjali Mamgai, Samarpan Lama, Aniket Chauhan, Vipul Khandapal, Boogie LLB, and Shivanshu Soni – are prepared to amaze the nation and secure their spot in the Top 5.

In this exciting episode, the cast of “Kavya – Ek Jazbaa, Ek Junoon” – Sumbul Toqueer Khan, Mishkat Varma, and Anuj Sullere – will grace the stage. Additionally, popular youth music artist Tony Kakkar and the charismatic Manisha Rani are set to make a special appearance to promote their latest song, “Jamna ke Paar.”

During the show, contestant Vipul Khandapal and choreographer Pankaj Thapa’s performance to the song ‘Saiyyan’ impresses Tony Kakkar. Addressing Vipul, he expresses his amazement, saying, “I am at a loss for words. You have redefined the meaning of ‘speechless’. I can’t address you as Vipul and Pankaj; I want to call you ‘sir’. Dancing is not an easy art, and it requires a lot of practice. I would like to thank platforms like India’s Best Dancer that provide opportunities for dancers to showcase their talent. Vipul, you have gained a massive following across India, and we are also big fans of yours. I am delighted to see how far you’ve come in life.”

Tony also shares an interesting story about Vipul, revealing, “I want to tell everyone that Vipul was an assistant choreographer for one of my songs, ‘Kaanta Laga,’ which I sang with my sister, Neha, and Honey Singh. Vipul hails from Delhi, and I have a soft spot for all Delhiites. My heart is with you. I hope you go on to win the show and excel further. I also want to mention that you were the assistant choreographer for ‘Kaanta Laga,’ but I would love for you to choreograph my next music video.”

In the midst of the impressive dance acts and captivating host, Jay Bhanushali, there will be an exciting rapid-fire session with the fabulous Raveena Tandon. She will reveal her Bollywood bestie and surprise everyone!

Raveena Tandon will share about her close friend in Bollywood, stating, “I have some wonderful friends in the industry, such as the enchanting Madhuri Dixit, the graceful Shilpa Shetty, and the unforgettable Sridevi. But if I had to choose one ride-or-die, it would be the one and only Govinda, lovingly known as Chi Chi. We have always shared a deep love for music and dancing. My comic timing improved greatly because of Chi Chi. Even in our dance collaborations, we were incredibly fast – we completed ‘Kahi Disco Main Jaye’ in just one and a half days and ‘Akhiyon Se Goli Maare’ in a single day! We would start shooting early in the morning at 9:30-10:00 AM and finish by 6:00 PM. We used to shoot the different parts of the song simultaneously. And the friendly rivalry – if he nailed a shot, I had to give my best. Our chemistry was magical, fueled by our energy and a bit of healthy competition!”

Judge Geeta Kapur asked Raveena about her bold choices during a time when heroines typically opted for safe characters to play. She said, “During that period, heroines would usually take on sweet and beautiful roles that the heroes would fall in love with. However, your role in ‘Aks’ was different and much darker. I don’t remember heroines often choosing such roles during that time.”

Responding to the question, Raveena shared her perspective, saying, “You’re absolutely right, Geeta. In that era, heroines were afraid of being typecast, and we often found ourselves playing roles that depicted sweet and well-off father-daughter dynamics, dancing to catchy tunes with ponytails. I made a conscious effort to take on films and songs that broke that mold. Whether it was ‘Daman,’ which addressed a sensitive issue, or ‘Aks,’ where I portrayed a completely negative character, and later the film ‘Satta,’ these projects were all different from the usual trends of the late ’90s. Interestingly, many of my songs became massive hits, sometimes overshadowing the depth of the characters we were portraying. Nevertheless, I believe I have not only survived but thrived in my career, reaching great heights today with projects like ‘KGF 2’ and more to come. My secret, I believe, lies in embracing new characters and breathing life into them – that’s my craft. In our time, we earned the opportunity to choose such roles after establishing ourselves, but nowadays, this trend has shifted to earlier stages. In the past, sweet roles and catchy songs were the norm, and stepping into unconventional roles felt like a daring choice.”

The highly anticipated film ‘Kushi’ is set to make its debut on the big screen. Directed by Shiva Nirvana, the movie is a delightful romantic comedy that is expected to captivate audiences. However, it’s not just the intriguing storyline and star-studded cast that have attracted attention; it’s the recent live dance performance by the charismatic duo, Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, that has truly excited fans.

‘Kushi’ is the second collaboration between Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and it has generated immense anticipation within the film industry. With its release scheduled for September of this year, the film has already sparked enthusiasm among die-hard film enthusiasts and music lovers alike. The movie’s soul-stirring playlist, featuring a variety of melodious tracks, has managed to strike a chord with listeners, making it a highly anticipated cinematic and musical experience.

The excitement reached its peak with the official audio launch of ‘Kushi.’ The grand musical event took place on the auspicious occasion of India’s Independence Day, August 15, in Hyderabad, providing the perfect platform to unveil the film’s musical brilliance. However, it was the spellbinding live performance by the lead pair that emerged as the true highlight of the evening. Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Vijay Deverakonda, revered names in the Telugu film industry, graced the stage with their palpable chemistry and captivating dance moves. Their rendition of the beloved “Kushi” title track left the audience in awe, transporting them into the world of the film. The chemistry between the two stars, which had already generated excitement on social media, was amplified as they danced their way into the hearts of the audience. Videos and images capturing this breathtaking performance quickly spread across the internet, showcasing the magnetic allure of their on-stage partnership.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu stunned the audience with her elegant appearance in a monochrome printed lehenga and a stylish black sequined crop top. Her wavy hair and dewy makeup perfectly complemented her charm. On the other hand, Vijay Deverakonda exuded confidence in a white sleeveless t-shirt paired with embroidered trousers, showcasing his suave and charismatic persona.

The heartwarming trailer of ‘Kushi’ has already revealed glimpses of the unconventional love story between Viplav and Aaradhya, portrayed by Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu. Their decision to marry against their families’ wishes sets them on an uncharted path, leading to a series of events that test the foundation of their relationship. This captivating narrative promises to provide an engaging cinematic experience that resonates with audiences of all ages.

The film boasts a stellar supporting cast, including Sachin Khedekar, Murali Sharma, Jayaram, Lakshmi, Sharanya Ponvannan, Rohini, Vennela Kishore, Rahul Ramakrishna, Ali, Srikanth Iyengar, Bharath Reddy, and more. The enchanting melodies and soulful compositions that enrich the film’s soundtrack are the masterful work of Hesham Abdul Wahab, while the stunning visuals are captured by director of photography Murali G.