Recreating the divine stories

Meera Sreenarayanan gave an excellent Bharatanatyam recital on Saturday Evening as part of the Shilparamam Weekend Cultural Programs. She started with ‘Tunga Tarange Gange’ composed by Sadashiva Brahmendra in Hamsadhwani Ragam. Meera beautifully depicted the greatness of river Ganga who dispels Sins, is respected by the Trinity of Gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva; whose cascading waters are full of glorious Sanctity. Her drenching flow purifies the world releasing bondages.

The melodious and lilting Keerthana of Tulsidas in Yamankalyani ‘Sri Ramachandra Kripalu’ was shown by with eloquent pathos by the artiste from the viewpoint of Lord Rama's mother Kausalya who waited for him fourteen long years. Nirmala Nagaraj in Hamsanandhi composed ‘Thandavamadum Padane’ in which the dancer brilliantly danced the astonishment of the devotee beholding the dancing Lord Nataraja and praises him as removing sins and regarding all in equanimity.

Sunday also had two more Bharatanatyam performances by Janane Sethunarayanan and Vidushi Ananya. Janane began with a short sloka on Lord Ganesha. Shanmugha Kauthuvam full of vivid poses praised Lord Muruga as removing the difficulties of his devotees. ‘Tumak Chalat Ramachandra’ is a Tulsidas Bhajan hailing the beauty of the baby Lord Rama and comparing his face to the radiance of the sun. ‘Nagumomu’ is one of Thyagaraja's gems in which he beseeches Lord Rama to come and bless him understanding his mental plight in seeking his protection. An enchanting devotional bhajan on Lord Hanuman concluded.

Andal Kauthuvam in Malayamaruta was the first Item by Ananya. She portrayed the saint poetess who is one among the Vaishnavite Alwars and the author of the Thiruppavai which is still recited in the month of Margazhi in a very elegant manner. Ardhanarishwara Stotram by Adisankaracharya is in Ragamalika. The dancer displayed her calibre in this piece which is a striking rendering of the combined male and female qualities of Shiva and Shakti. The contrasting forms of manifest and unmanifest, consciousness and energy, construction and generation all present as one supreme power.

After a Tulsidas bhajan on Sri Rama two charming Padams followed, one in Madhyavanthi of a Nayika whose beloved is Lord Subramaniam described as handsome with a peacock and the other in kapi of Devaki longing for baby Krishna were full of delicate Abhinaya showing subtle imagery. A brief Thillana in Kalyanavasantha finished the program.

By Anna Rao Gangavalli