Friday Review
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Brimming with energy
RUPA SRIKANTH
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Whether it was Kalaripayattu, mime or dandiya, there was never a dull moment.
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Photos: K.V.Srinivasan
Riveting: Bhangra.
There was never a dull moment on Sunday morning at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. Whether it was a solo Kalaripayattu demonstration performed in silence or an animal story Punyakoti mimed to enjoyable music and orchestration, or a graceful, lively Dandi
ya or an entertaining version of the Bhasmasura-Mohini deception, or a Carnatic music rendition including a well-timed thani avarthanam, the enthusiastic audience was kept engaged all through.
The interesting part was that it was not just the audience who enjoyed the show, the participants did as well!
Special preview
The programme was a special preview of the repertoire of ‘Creative Connections 2007 International Young Performers Tour’ to the U.S.
The tour has been put together by senior artists Shantha and V.P.Dhananjayan and their Bharata Kalanjali Academy with twelve talented participants between the ages of 12 and 18 selected from various dance schools.
Dandiya.
They are to be accompanied by two staff members of the Bharata Kalanjali Academy, Sumathi Sriram and Divya Shivasundar.
The repertoire includes classical Bharatanatyam, folk and tribal dances from different parts of India, Carnatic music, mime and Kalaripayattu.
While the seniors are to handle the more serious classical segments that will punctuate the 45-minute presentations in various schools in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, the young, energetic and talented group are to handle the rest.
What was remarkable about the programme was the spirit of these youngsters that gave every piece added momentum. The music composed by Karthik Jayaraman was another piece in the jigsaw that fit perfectly. The costumes were colourful, the pieces well-visualised and the items well-rehearsed. No wonder the distinguished-looking V.P.Dhananjayan had so much pride in his voice when he welcomed the gathering!
If there is a need to nitpick, then it is only the Swati Tirunal, ‘Chaliye Kunjanamo’ that did not quite fit into the scheme of things. The recording was harsh and the sudden change of pace to a solo love poem was not smoothly achieved.
Infectious energy
As finale’s go, the Bhangada will rate as one of the best in recent memory.
It was not just the infectious energy unleashed by the rhythmic, ‘Oie bhale! Oie shava;’ it was not just the colour, nor the choreography. But it was the spirit of the dancers who somersaulted, ran to the audience urging them to clap, and yet managed to keep track of the dance, that was phenomenal. It actually brought the house down.
And the first words that David T.Hopper, the U.S. Council General in Chennai, said after the programme was ‘Wow!’
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Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
|
