Padmalaksshme Suresh stole the show in the title role of the Kuravanji in the dance-drama ‘Bharatha Swathanthira Kuravanchi,’ produced by Padmalaya Foundation helmed by her. She dwarfed the other artistes both physically and figuratively. The dance-drama was presented by Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram in association with Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha.
Attractive costume
Besides choreography and Nattuvangam, Padmalaksshme had also taken the responsibility for designing the costume in attractive colour combinations and was worthy of appreciation in all the departments. This ‘Kuravanji’ was written by the late Brinda Varadarajan. Usually in the Kuravanji narrative, the heroine longs to unite with the hero and a gypsy woman comes along to predict that her wish would come true. Here the story revolved round India’s Independence movement with the Bharata Matha as the heroine, appearing as a princess pining for Suthanthira Devan; the drama introduces the leaders involved in the freedom struggle as part of the lyrics.
Dramatic moment
The choreography was commendable with the well-coordinated movements of young dancers. The emoting of the dancer as the princess and a couple of her friends was quite effective.
A dramatic moment was the fainting of the heroine on hearing about the hanging of Kattabomman. Young children appeared as Bharathiar, Kappalottiya Tamizhan, Subramania Siva, Tilak, etc and the cutest of them all was Gandhiji.
The kurathi was at her teasing best when dealing with the other characters and also when demanding money, clothes and food. This also introduced a comic element in an otherwise serious subject.
The production was a neat affair except that scene change took a bit of time occasionally.
Music composing and vocal support by Chitraambari Krishnakumar was quite admirable.
She was supported on the mridangam by Dhananjay, rhythm pads by Venkatasubramaniam, violin by K.P. Nandini and flute by Devaraj. Just one voice for the entire singing as well as the dialogue caused monotony.
One more voice would have provided relief. An enlarged version of the invitation to the programme projected as a backdrop was a huge distraction.
