Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Onstage search for Radha

Thiruvananthapuram: Mohiniyattom artiste Gopika Varma is all set to charm dance lovers in the city with her latest production ‘Radhayevide’ (Where is Radha?), an adaptation of poet Sugathakumari’s poem by the same name.

The production, conceived and choreographed by Ms. Varma, will be staged at the Tagore Theatre on Sunday.

Addressing a press meet on Friday, Ms. Varma said the 75-minute dance presentation was based on the theme of lost love. She said adapting the poem was a challenge, in terms of the volume and the highly emotional content.

“It tries to portray the anguish of Radha who is devastated by the departure of Krishna from Vrindavan. Radha wonders if she had been arrogant towards her lover and prays for another life. She continues to live through different incarnations - as Meera in Rajasthan, Aandal in Tamil Nadu and Kurooramma in Kerala,” explains Ms.Varma.

“The idea of creating a dance presentation based on the poem came from Sugathakumari Teacher herself. It took me six months to conceive the work.” Music is composed by M. Jayachandran.

The singers include Sujathamohan, Arundhathi, Chinmayi, Sangeetha Sajith and M. Jayachandran.

The presentation draws on Meera bhajans, Thiruppavai and Narayaneeyam to represent different incarnations of Radha.

“I have avoided hardcore Mohiniyattom to make the presentation more palatable for the audience,” she said.

The performance incorporates Mayura Nrutham, the ancient art of drawing pictures using the feet. The music uses a 50-piece orchestra. The presentation had its premiere at Abu Dhabi and was later staged at the Music Academy, Chennai.

Head of the ruling family of erstwhile Travancore Uthradom Tirunal Marthanda Varma will inaugurate the performance on Sunday evening.Entry will be free.

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