The 23rd annual Bharatanatyam Festival of Natyarangam, the dance wing of Narada Gana Sabha, featured Devi as the theme. The evening began with an innovative ‘Vande Mataram,’ a song penned by Sujatha Vijayaraghavan. Aadi being the month dedicated to the Goddess, Devi Bharatam was highly apt.
Renowned writer Sivasankari, guest of honour, felicitated those chosen for special awards — Saroja Kameswaran, (Bharatanatyam guru for representing core values of heritage), Tamil scholar, researcher and resource person Dr. S Raghuraman, (outstanding Contribution to Bharatanatyam), vocalist and nattuvanar K. S. Balakrishnan, (Bhagavatalu Sri Seetharama Sarma Endowment Award), senior dancer Lakshmi Ramaswamy (Obul Reddy Endowment Award) , dancer Pavitra Bhatt (Vasantha Lakshmi Narasimhachari Endowment Award) and mridangam artiste M. Dhananjayan (Sudharani Raghupathy Endowment Award). Hari Shankar, secretary, Narada Gana Sabha, gave away the awards.
Aruna Sairam, who was the chief guest, said that it was her good fortune to be a part of such a felicitation of confidence and pride in profession.
Winners of Natyarangam’s special award along with Aruna Sairam, writer Sivasankari, Sujatha Vijayaraghavan and Hari Shankar, secretary, Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai
Dr. Sudha Seshaiyan and R. K. Sreeramkumar were the designated resource persons for ‘Devi Bharatam.’
Divya Shivsundar, senior disciple of guru Dhananjayan, presented ‘Janani’. ‘Thaye Thripurasundari’ choreographed by Shobhana Bhalchandra introduced Devi as the Mother. Divya portrayed the mother as enjoying the company of her two sons, Ganapathi and Murugan. Amma as the amalgamation of the five elements, Matha Parashakti, choreographed by Dhananjayan celebrated the omnipresence of the Mother. She presented ‘Abhirami Andhadi’ to merge it with ‘Amma anandadayini.’
‘Naan oru vilayattubommaiya’ depicted Bhoomadevi calling out to the people, who use and abuse her and praying to Parashakti to save her.
Conceived with a difference, this piece, choreographed by Divya was relevant in today’s context. In Meenakshi Thalattu, the mother became the child. The well-conceived segment concluded with a tillana in Maand extolling the Devi as the mother of all creatures.
Neat nattuvangam by Shobhana Bhalchandra and melodious vocal by Preethi Mahesh, mridangam by S. Nagarajan, violin by Sivaraman and flute by Anirudh comprised the orchestra.
Divya Shivasundar performing at Natyarangam annual thematic dance festival in Chennai
Divya’s simple and graceful costume, impressive stage presence and traditional deportment added to the quality of performance.
Meera Sreenarayanan presented ‘Harini’ bringing out metaphysical concepts through relatable stories. The recital conceived and choreographed by Meera was a conversation between a bee (Jeevatma) and Lakshmi, the Guru and guide to Vishnu (Paramatma). The bee was depicted as a mesmerised spectator of Lakshmi, symbolised by the Lotus. The bee, in its quest, beseeched Lakshmi to help experience the ultimate Truth and Bliss.
Meera began with an Alarippu and moved on to Dikshitar’s ‘Sri Varalakshmi’ in Sri Ragam. Through choice pieces including ‘Ksheerabdhi kannike’ (Kurinji, Purandara Dasa), ‘Paluku tenela thalli’ (Abheri, Annamacharya), ‘Lakshmi Purana’ (Brindavani and Pantuvarali) written by Balarama Dasa, ‘Vasantha Ritu’, written by Karippath and thillana in Jog, (the last three composed by Edappilly Ajit Kumar), Meera made the bee, which projected various rasas, the link. The inclusion of ‘Maanabasaa Gurubaara,’ the Odiya song added a tasteful dimension.
The refrain of “Shreem Shreem” and the intelligent sequencing of the bee’s emotions were highlighted through sensitive interpretations by Meera.
Crisp nattuvangam by Udayasankar Lal, excellent vocal by Bhagyalakshmi, mridangam by Kalamandalam Sreerang, veena by Soundararajan and flute by Sruthi Sagar provided the needed orchestral support.
More reviews next week
