There are times and days in a performing artiste’s life, when artistic inspiration overshadows the personality of the individual. The performance then gains intensity and makes a strong impression on the audience.
Meenakshi Srinivasan’s performance was one such experience. With her bhava-centric approach, the dancer breathed life into the portrayals of Sita in the varnam and Radha in the Ashtapadhi, the two main compositions of the evening. Beginning on a vibrant note with a pushpanjali and Kanda Jathi Dhruva tala alarippu, Meenakshi, attired in an aesthetic orange-and-wine-coloured costume, matched with graceful movements and firm footwork the jati korvais uttered with perfect kalapramanam by Jayashri Ramanathan.
The varnam, a refreshing compilation of verses, focused on the questions that arise in the mind of Sita as she reflects on her life in the serene ashram after her exile from Ayodhya.
Graceful depiction
Comparing her plight to that of Rama, who is tormented by her memory, Meenakshi portrayed with finesse the varied shades of emotion experienced by Sita, the woman. There was grace in her depiction of Sita emerging from the earth, playfulness as she lifts the Shivadhanush with one hand, angst to Lakshmana chiding her in the Mareecha episode and helplessness when abducted by Ravana.
The abhinaya was not exaggerated. The jathi korvais were short and did not distract from the mood of the composition. Hariprasad’s singing of the song would have had a greater impact with a more emotional rendering.
‘Sakhihe Kesi’, the Ashtapadi that explored the romantic dalliance of Krishna with Radha was depicted in an understated manner by Meenakshi. The languorous postures, preparation of sandal paste for adornment, bees hovering around the flowers, mischievous pranks of Krishna were some of the sancharis.
After the poetic mood created by these two songs, ‘Alarulu kuriyaga’ (Annamacharya), an excerpt from the dancer’s production of bhakti poetry titled ‘Anubhav,’ describing goddess Alamelumanga, deviated from the mood of serenity, the core experience of the show. Kalaiarasan on the violin, Vedakrishna Ram on the mridangam and Sruti Sagar on the flute formed the musical ensemble.
