Natya Tarangini, a driving force in classical dance and music recently held their Parampara Series 2017 at Kamani auditorium. They welcomed the audience who braved the rains with a bouquet of assorted and hypnotising presentations of the very best in Indian music and dance. This was Parampara’s 21st edition started by Drs. Raja-Radha and Kaushalya Reddy.
The introductory presentation “Shivalila” encompassing the multi-faceted manifestations of Shiva starting with Swaymbhu Shiva or self manifested Shiva and rounding off the gripping tale of the Shiva mythology with his Tripurantaka Rupa — an epithet Shiva earned for the annihilation of Tripurasura — enacted by the premier Kuchipudi family, Raja-Radha, Yamini and Bhavana Reddy with Kaushalya Reddy as the expert conductor of the orchestra, bore the stamp of Raja Reddy style of the vibrant dance form of Andhra.
Both Yamini and Bhavana sparkled with brilliant dance renditions describing Shiva’s existence in the five elements of nature which he governs, each symbolized in the formless form of Shiva. The universe is a reflection of Shiva; his absolute and self radiant quality; his role in maintaining the balance of the world; his benevolence in swallowing poison to save mankind during the churning of the milk ocean for amrita; his act of saving Markandeya Muni from preventing Yama from taking him to the other world; Manmatha’s turning into cinders for interrupting his meditation; Arjuna’s penance to earn the most powerful missile from Shiva, the Pasupata astra; were sketched with fervour using the paint-brush of Kuchipudi. Each bend of their physic whether it was the shooting of an arrow or taking the meditative pose of Shiva as well as Nataraja Shiva with this right leg lifted up or displaying the impish quality of Manmatha, the duos’ stances, steps, emotive quality, body language etc were flawless and perfectly synchronized. The Reddy girls are presently top quality Kuchipudi dancers. Richly endowed and equipped that they are, there is much to hope from them. There was high drama in retelling the stories of the different aspects of Shiva. Meaningful pauses gave the audience a chance to appreciate the fine renditions with claps and encouraging words.
Raja-Radha Reddy in the role of Shiva Parvati were minimalistic in their movements. Their style was artistic, using simple movements with little embellishment , acquired through years of experience. They rendered their celestial dance as the devotees watched. Their presence evoked nothing but veneration. The audience, led by Yamini and Bhavana, reckoned with a spiritual moment, where devotion reigned supreme. The talented Nattuvanar Kaushalya Reddy had everyone of the musicians in her grip, directing them towards perfection by taking care of the minute details. Deevi Ravikant, the vocalist accompanied by VSK Annadorai who played the violin, along with M. Anantha Krishna the flautist wove magic. B. Bhaskar Rao on mridangam gave the orchestra the much required unity. Intricate rhythm patterns were smoothly rendered with the nattuvanars powerful chantings. Good musical hands under the guidance of an able conductor spelt the success of the show. Compere Sadhana Shrivastav was at her best and supported the dancers with her verbal rendition of Shiva’s different manifestations. Creative designer Aswin Patel and light designer Sandeep Dutta also did their bit to make “Shivalila” a cohesive whole .
