Dancers have to constantly explore new ideas and themes to sustain the interest of the audience. ‘Eka Aneka’ presented by Gopika Varma’s Dasyam annually, is relevant in this context as it brings together dancers from different classical styles. This year’s presentation titled ‘Pratisandhi Ramayanam,’ held at Narada Gana Sabha, featured four characters — Manthara, Kaikeyi, Soorpanakha and Ravana — instrumental in changing the course of the epic .
Combining humour with native slang, actor Kalairani kept the audience engrossed in her role as a sutradhar, introducing each character with elan.
CHENNAI : 26/11/2017 : FOR FRIDAY PAGE : Pratisandhi Ramayanam - four different styles of dance - by four dancers to depict 4 characters. The dancers Uma Dogra-Kathak at the Narada Gana Sabha, . Photo: K. Pichumani
Veteran Kathak artiste, Uma Dogra played Manthara, a hunchback, who poisons the mind of Kaikeyi. The artiste’s sensitive abhinaya came to the fore as she hears the news of Rama’s coronation. Her communicative skills as well as her body language (as a hunchback) were impressive. Sadly, the sequence focused more on theatrics, and the chakkars, parans and bols of Kathak were missing.
Deepika Reddy introduced Kaikeyi with an entry in the Kuchipudi style before moving on to a detailed depiction of the alankaram she does in front of the mirror. Her depiction of joy and anger were convincing but in the overall portrayal, the character of the queen did not come across convincingly, as the narrative took precedence.
CHENNAI : 26/11/2017 : FOR FRIDAY PAGE : Pratisandhi Ramayanam - four different styles of dance - by four dancers to depict 4 characters. Deepika Reddy-Kuchipudi at the Narada Gana Sabha, . Photo: K. Pichumani
Gopika Varma ‘s abhinaya captured the different shades of Soorpanakha’s character in Mohiniyattom style. Her happy memories of seeing each part of the dismembered body on the battlefield and her transformation from a rakshasi to a beautiful woman were some special moments.
Ravana was presented in a complete Bhagavatamela style by Dr. Aravind Subramaniam. His powerful dialogue delivery and movements revealed his calibre as a fine artiste. The hiccups in setting up the props disturbed the flow of sequences though.
CHENNAI : 26/11/2017 : FOR FRIDAY PAGE : Pratisandhi Ramayanam - four different styles of dance - by four dancers to depict 4 characters.Kiran Subramaniam-Bharatanatyam at the Narada Gana Sabha, . Photo: K. Pichumani
The idea of artistes of different styles dancing one after another, seen quite frequently these days, does not sustain interest as the segments appear disjointed.
The artistes need to work together to make the concept come alive. The import of these four characters on the story did not find powerful expression, they just remained as individual characters. The flow from one sequence to another, and stage and light management need to be streamlined for the production to have an overall impact.
