With exquisite headgear and colourful costumes, students of Guru Pitambar Biswal delighted spectators with their Odissi performance during the 27th dance festival organised by Pollachi Tamizh Isai Sangam.
Arpita Pani and Divyashri Panda began with the Mangalacharan and moved on to ‘Ganga Tarang,’ a lilting piece interwoven with jatis.
‘Raase, Harimiha’ (Jayadeva’s Ashtapadi) was laden with picturesque details and Divyashri enacted them with aesthetic abhinaya. Arpita embellished the Sankarabharanam pallavi with statuesque postures, inspired by the statues of Puri Jagannath temple.
Ten avatars of Lord Vishnu
During the second session, Sangya Sucharita Nayak, Pallavi Patnaik and Silpa Kare joined the other two for presenting group items. ‘Pralaya Payodhi Jale,’ the Ashtapadi describing the 10 avatars of Vishnu was depicted with sensitivity.
The churning of the ocean for Kurma avatar and the samhar of Hiranyakashipu in Narasimha avatar were presented with graphic details. Mohana Pallavi began softly with slow movements and picked up speed as the music rose to a crescendo. She concluded impressively with intricate footwork.
Suryashtakam, set to lively music and liberally interspersed with jatis, was a visual delight. The excellent orchestra comprised Satyabrata Katha (vocal), Shibananda Barik, (mardal), Pritiranjan (flute) and guru Pitambar Biswal (manjeera).
Appealing recital
R. Rukmini of Bharatham School of dance did her guru Himaja Ramsharan proud with her appealing Bharatanatyam recital. She began impressively with the Mallari in Gambhira Nattai and presented the varnam in Lathangi, ‘Konjum Sadhangai Thigazhum’ with appropriate sancharis. ‘Vallikkanavan Perai,’ ‘Mazhai’ (Bharathiar) and ‘Vaaranamaayiram’ brought out Rukmini’s ability to portray a variety of emotions. She concluded with ‘Swaralayam,’ a garland of swaras and jatis composed by Latha Ramchand. Himaja Ramsharan’s spirited nattuvangam set the tempo to Rukmini’s dance. Sai Srinivasan (vocal support), Tiruvarur Venkatasubramaniam (mridangam), Sikkil Balasubramaniam (violin) and P.V. Ramana (glute) formed the orchestra and enhanced the effect.
Enjoyable show
This was followed by the Bharatanatyam performances of S. Aishwarya Lakshmi, N. Renukadevi, B. Hemavarshini, T. Vaishnavi, K. Abhirami, R. Rajam Vasara, S. Kirubha Gowri and R. Prathusha, from Giriyanjali School of Dance, Coimbatore. The ‘Swami Purappaadu,’ the procession carrying the deity was depicted with minute details. Guru Jaladeepa presented ‘Nadanam Seyyum Paadhanaar’ with excellent facial expressions and footwork. The Navaragamalika varnam and the lighter items such as the padam in Khamas, kavadichindhu and thillana bore evidence to their excellent grooming. Veteran Indira Rajan wielded the cymbals.
