‘Artistes against Cancer is part of a series of cultural programmes organised annually by the Cancer Society of India. Artistes help in this fundraising and awareness creation programme by giving performances free of cost.
Recently French born Bharatanatyam dancer Devayani performed as part of this initiative at New Delhi's Bahai House, also known as the Lotus Temple.
As cancer survivors lit the traditional lamp and several more lit candles, it became symbolic of rejuvenation and a born again experience of life. And it was befitting that the evening's dance recital had invocations to the cosmic couple Shiva and Shakti. For, Shiva, or Nataraja's cosmic dance is a metaphor for rejuvenation. The spiritual resonance was palpable, as the recital began with vocal incantation of the thousand names of Devi or Durga by vocalist Sadanam Rajagopalan.
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Devayani chose the kriti “Bho Shambho, Shiva Shambho” to open the recital — an obeisance to Lord Shiva. Set to raga Revathi by Maharajapuram Santhanam, the song by Dayanand Saraswati evokes the feeling of Rudra Tandava. Devayani's mien was majestic and reverential as she hailed the timeless and all pervasive Lord Shambhu, who redeems humanity from the ocean of sorrow and samsara through his eternal dance of creation and destruction. The abhinaya was exquisite as Devayani, with accomplished ease, portrayed Lord Shiva's wondrous characteristics.
The Navarasas or emotions as portrayed by Devi were depicted by Devayani with immense sensitivity through bhava and hastha mudras in the lines beginning with “Shive Shringarardhra” from Adi Shankara's Saundarya Lahiri, the ode to the Mother of the Universe. Devayani delved into emotions felt by Shakti, the personification of Shiva's energy — the creative life force that makes the world. With excellent command over nritta and restrained abhinaya, the performance throughout was eclectic, as she breezed through “Mathura Nagarilo”, depicting the interplay between the gopis and Lord Krishna, as well as the varnam “Moham Aginen Inda Velayil” in raga Kharaharapriya. While, Devayani's choreography for “Mathura Nagarilo” was superb, tugging at the heartstrings as it were, the varnam brought out her skill as a dancer. Parvati expressing her intense love for Lord Nataraja of Chidambaram was conveyed with immense drama. Abhinaya and exquisite footwork made it highly aesthetic.
While the tillana in Darbari Kanada could not be performed due to acoustics problem, the evening concluded aptly with Adi Shankara's Shiva Panchakshara shloka “Nagendra haraya…”. Devayani was ably supported by S. Shankar for nattuvangam, vocalist Sadanam Rajagopalan, mridangist R. Kesavan and violinist V.S.K. Chakrapani.
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The year 2009 marked 25 years of service by the Indian Cancer Society in creating awareness about cancer and preventive measures, as well as in ensuring timely treatment, as also helping survivors cope with the after-effects of the treatment. A film detailing the steps taken by the society — including Cancer Jagruti (awareness campaign), Cancer Sahyog and Cankids (both providing support to patients coping with post-treatment trauma) and also Prashanti, the healing centre providing alternative therapies for health restoration — was also screened on the occasion.
The Society has seen several milestones, thanks to the corps of volunteers and survivors helping the cause of fighting the disease. Jyotsna Govil has been spearheading the efforts tirelessly.