The lion dance

Vasanthalakshmi talks about the Simhanandini Chitra Natyam to be performed in memory of M.V. Narasimhachari.

Lasya, daughter and disciple of Vasanthalakshmi -M.V. Narasimhachari .

It is not often easy to walk out of the shadows of someone as inspiring as M.V. Narasimhachari. Disciple and wife, Vasanthalakshmi naturally felt no different. And when destiny brought forth a sudden halt, there were no options but to move on. Bravely, yet hesitantly with the encouragement that she received from Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam to complete her MFA, Vasantha added the learning of Karana Prakaranam to her field of work to re-invent a ritualistic temple dance.

Though trained under Gurus P.V.G.K.Sarma and Mahankali Sathyanarayana in the 1970s, the Charis came under Guru C.R. Acharya in 1981. Wanting to make the most of the time available with the guru, Narasimhachari learnt Mayura Kauthwam while Vasantha pursued Simhanandini. It appealed so much to audiences around the world that they included them in their repertoire.

Realising the potential to explore it further, Vasantha approached research-scholars Pappu Venugopala Rao and B.M. Sundaram.

Simhanandini is usually performed to adi tala but she wanted to base it on Simhanandana tala. Says Vasantha, “ Sixteen avartanas of adi tala would make one avartana in the Simhanandana. In the structure of this tala, six other talas can be perceived, and I have codified them with concise verses in Sanskrit.”

Traditionally, on Vijayadasami day, Goddess Durga on a simha vahanam goes in a chariot.

Coloured rice powder is spread on the ground, and Devadasis, singing the glory of Mahishasuramardini , dance and as a final offering, step on the rice powder drawing the lion, even as they dance to the beat of the Simhanandana tala. Thirty-seventh tala (and the longest) of the 108 tala system (known as Ashtottara Shata tala), comprising 128 aksharas/kriyas, 18 angas, which amounts to 512 matras.

On Narasimhachari’s first death anniversary, Vasantha will

symbolically offer the Simhanandini (dance) in Simhanandana tala.

On August 14 (10 a.m.) at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan daughter and disciple Lasya performs the Simhanandini, drawing the image of lion on a damp white cloth placed on the floor over coloured rice powder.before the release of the DVD ‘Simhanandini- The Dancing Lion.

Part of the funds raised through the event will go towards IMPFA (mouth and foot painting artists). On August 21 (10 a.m.), at the same premises, students of the late dancer-guru will pay tribute ‘Narasimham Bhajeham’ that has lyrics, music and choreography by Vasantha, who will also perform the invocatory piece. The event is open to all.