Anuka King’s recital at Sivagami Pethachi Auditorium, was faultless and revealed a lot of hard work. A uniform pace with clear footwork and abhinaya was the highlight.
The opening itself was innovative, when Anuka, after paying homage, creatively dealt the pasurams of ‘Thondaradipodiazhwar’. With clear delineations, she handled ‘Pachaimaamalai Poolmaeni’ in Bowli. It gave a fresh and somewhat unusual start to the show.
The next item, Nrithya Priya was slightly different from the traditional varnam. The ragamalika -- Rishabapriya, Kharaharapriya and Shanmughapriya in Adi -- was a composition of Revathi Ramesh with music by violin maestro T. K. Padmanabha.
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Commencing with the lyric, ‘Kanchi Kamakshi Manam Kavarntha Kalvan Eekambareswaranae’, it had an easy flow throughout that blended well with Chitrambari’s singing and Guru Shobana Bhalchandra’s nattuvangam. Effective was her portrayal of Ardhanariswarar in the sanchari when she went on to explain how Siva makes Sage Brinji understand that Parvati is part of him. Anuka was humility personified when she (as sage Brinji) asked Siva’s forgiveness.
There was subtle artistry in the choreography of the sanchari for ‘Anjidum kalan kaladi kidakum thirukadaiyur amurhta kadesswara’. Anuka explained the story of Markandeyan in vivid detail.
While sculpted poses and nritta dominated ‘Aananda Natanam Aadinar’ (Khambodi), ‘Krishna Nee Begane’ (Yaman Kalyan) was an eclectic rasa experience. As she called out to little Krishna, Anuka transformed into Yashoda, crying when Krishna evaded her, angry when he teased her and happy when he played with her. The choreography lent a visual dimension to the devotional lyric, especially in the line ‘Thayige Baayalli.’ She left the stage happily carrying Krishna on her back! Lilting was the final Behag thillana in kanda ekam.
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The musical aspect of the recital stood out. . The versatile bowing of Kalaiarasan and Shashidar’s flute enhanced the orchestral appeal. The mridangam was well handled by Ramesh Babu. Vocalist Chithrambari delivered admirably and kept pace with Shobana’s nattuvangam and Anuka’s swiftness throughout the show.