Mohiniyattam danseuse Kalamandalam Kshemavathy, who was awarded the Padma Shri this year, performed in Kochi along with her disciples.
The Mohiniyattam recital began with ‘Ananda Ganapathi,' an invocation to Lord Ganesha performed by Kshemavathy herself. With her graceful movements and gestures, she portrayed Lord Ganesha, the embodiment of joy. She came up with a brilliant visualisation of the song penned by Kavalam Narayana Panicker.
This was followed by a traditional jatiswaram set to raga Chenchuruti. The rapport among the dancers Deepa Chandran, Gopika B. S., Divya Unnikrishnan and Mini Pramod was outstanding.
Story of Rugmangadha
The next item in the repertoire was a varnam depicting the story of Rugmangadha. Originally penned for Kathakali by Mandavapally Ittirarissa Menon, excerpts from the play were adapted and choreographed in Mohiniyattam by Mini, a disciple of Kshemavathy.
Mini's lasya-laden movements excellently depicted the emotional kaleidoscope of Mohini as the story progressed. Mohini's fascination for King Rugmangada, her anger when he spurns her, and her compassion were also well depicted by Mini.
An Ashtapadi based on Jayadeva's ‘Geetha Govindam' had Kshemavathy portraying seven ‘sringara nayikas,' a superb piece of abhinaya. The varied moods of the nayikas were evocatively portrayed by her.
Scenes from ‘Krishnacharitham' were brought alive by a group of dancers. The audience were transported to the pastoral land of Brindavan as they watched the adventures of Lord Krishna in Poothanamoksham and Kaliyamardhanam.
Kshemavathay's visualisation of Sugathakumari's poem ‘Krishna Neeyene Ariyilla' was a touching interpretation of the intense and intricate feelings of a devotee.
Mini, Gopika, Divya and Deepa concluded the recital with a Thillana in raga Hamasanandi, composed by T.K.Govinda Rao.
The recital was in connection with a civic reception for Kshemavathy, organised under the aegis of ‘Kalandhika,' a dance school.
