Natya Sangraha, this time chose the unique theme of ‘Sthimita Vinyasam’ to highlight a condition practised by yoga practitioners. The dancers — Kuchipudi exponent Yasoda Thakore and Bharatanatyam dancer Archana — put this across audience with their own interpretation. Towards this end, they chose some compositions and applied what they thought the word ‘Sthimita’ suits art of dance. ‘Sthimitha’ as such is mental condition for one to attain this quality of staying calm and steady.
Yoga practitioners attain this condition through ‘Asana’, ‘Pranayama, ‘Dhaarana’ all resulting in ‘Gnana’. Therefore, Yasoda first paid obeisance to Patanjali, harbinger of ‘yoga’ and in its sequential presentation the theme set tone to the central thought of these principles relating to ‘Sthimitha’. She then spoke of how Patanjali’s yoga cleanses mind. She began with a sloka Prnamami Patanjali in Sudha Saveri with graceful abhinaya and rendered a composition translating it into dance. She then presented swarapallavi emphasising the importance of body and the care you take.
Yasoda then presented ‘Mandodari Sabdam’ and a Javali in Khamas Yeraa Raraa Idera Eee Marubaariki Taalagalenura of Dharmapuri Subbaraya Sastry portraying Samanya Nayaki.
As to the presentation on this subject ‘Sthimitha Vinyasam’ in Bharatanatyam style by Archana, she performed ‘Suryashtakam’ as ‘physical silence’ granted by Sun God. The Tamil composition she presented Eppadimanam Thunindado in Huseni exemplified the roles of Sita and Tulasi never taking emotive decisions even when they were in deep distress. The javali she presented later of Subramanya Bharati brought out the feelings of a mugdha experiencing inner feelings of love for a married man that she controls which she called ‘Sthimitham’.
She then went for Javali of Subramanya Bharati.
This dance ended with ‘Siva Panchakshari’ that explains Sivatatvam that destroys the bad and preserves good leaving no place for jealousy, ego, envy, lust and greed which is summed up as ‘sthimitam’, stillness in short. These dances were presented to pre-recorded music.
‘Sthimitha Vinyasam’ was staged as part of ‘Horizon series’ organised by ICCR.
