Arunima Kumar, Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Yuva Puraskar awardee (2008) for Kuchipudi, left an indelible mark as an accomplished danseuse, with a highly stylised performance recently at the Meghdoot auditorium. The sprightly numbers beginning with an invocation to Lord Ganesha with Oothhukadu Venkata Subba Iyer’s composition “Pranavakaram Siddhi Vinayakam” in raga Arabhi set the tone for a scintillating half hour, where the danseuse established instant rapport with the audience with a performance that brought out her fine structural base in Kuchipudi. The inaugural number depicting the elephant god Ganesha as Prasannavadana was a consummate piece, where Arunima displayed perfect balance in nritta and nritya.
The pangs of separation suffered by a lover were beautifully brought out by Arunima in the second number, a lyrical javali composed by poet Sri Sadashiva in raga Behag set to Adi tala. With her extensive abhinaya depicting variegated moods through histrionic expressions, Arunima conveyed the agony and ecstasy of the estranged lover with élan. There was ample scope for delineating lasya through sensuous eye expressions and graceful movements.
The concluding Shiva tarangam (a ragamalika) was a superb display of tandava and it was sheer poetry as beautiful rhythmic patterns, scintillating gestures and lightning speed expressions created an electrifying finale. Her nimble steps at lightning speed saw her executing the complicated rhythmic patterns on the brass plate with perfect control over limb movements.
The dancer brought forth the ebullience of this form with verve and style. Arunima’s dedication to her art has established her as a worthy disciple of her gurus Jayarama Rao and Vanashree Rao. Selecting traditional numbers, Arunima imbued them with richness and made them contemporary with a sophisticated and refined touch, commendable in so young a performer. Her movements were quicksilver and scintillating, well-rounded and she was fleet-footed — all typical to the Kuchipudi dance format.
The graceful performance conveyed everything from the ecstatic to the ethereal with perfect posture and rare aplomb. It spoke volumes for her proficient training and knowledge and the fact that she has created a niche for herself as a versatile dancer.
The evening’s recital was enhanced with Guru Jayarama Rao, a Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee, on the nattuvangam, and K. Venkateswaran’s superb vocal rendition. Flautist Sri Sri Uma Venkatesh and violinist VSK Annadurai as well as Bhanu Prasad on the mridangam lent pleasing musical and percussion accompaniment.
