Arathy Sudhakaran's Kuchipudi recital at the Vyloppilly Samskriti Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram called attention to the welcome trend among young people to take up dance as a serious hobby, if not as a profession and to prove that they are capable of pursuing it alongside their careers.
The up-and-coming artiste's performance began with the traditional Pushpanjali dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. The next item was the popular Annamacharya kriti ‘Muddugare Yashoda,' describing the antics of Lord Krishna and comparing his qualities to various precious gems. An excerpt from Bhama kalapam was chosen for the tarangam, the main piece, set in raga and tala malikas. The lines ‘Kunchita anchita …' formed the refrain as Arathy danced on the brass plate, exhibiting the paada bhedams. The Gita Govinda ashtapadi ‘Chandana charchita' preceded the concluding number, which was a thillana in Raga Desh, evoking Lord Shiva in his manifestation as Nataraja, the lord of dance.
Effortless moves
The two-hour-long performance, without breaks, wherein Arathy maintained her high energy level as her petite figure moved effortlessly on stage, spoke of the hard work put in for this art form that she loves.
Arathy, a second year student of Zoology at Mar Ivanios College in the capital city, is a recipient of the Government of Kerala's Nurture scholarship and has also proved her mettle at youth festivals at school and University levels. Arathy has been training from a young age in Bharthanatyam, Mohiniyattom and Kuchipudi under Jiji Suresh who choreographed all the items that were chosen for the recital.
