A delightful dance recital

Taruni Sanjay's Bharatanatyam recital was presented at Saptaparni recently. A student of Guru Rajeswari Sainath, Taruni Sanjay Class 11 student is a talented and focussed youngster who juggles her dance classes, performances and school activities with tremendous zeal. She began the recital with a Ganesh Pancharatna Stotram in ragamalika. With great energy she depicted the elephant headed God by using various mudras.

Her large sparkling eyes were an asset to her abhinaya. The varnam she selected was on Devi Kaamakshi. It was composed in Valacchi ragam by senior guru Radha Krishnan, the jathis were by her guru. The varnam was in praise of Kaamakshi, whose beauty, grace, goodness and generosity is beyond verbal description.

“Padam Ennadaan Maayam” is a composition of NS Sundar, set to raagam Sudha Saaranga and taalam Adi. In the shadow of a tree, Krishna awaits Radha, who is shy and hesitant to approach him. The naayika’s friend tells her about Krishna’s mischievous behaviour, about how he mesmerises the world by playing his flute. She talks about the deer prancing and suddenly halting, listening to the melodies which is as sweet as amrutham.

Like how the bees are attracted to the nectar in flowers, she teases Radha that he was using the same idea to draw her to him through the music of his flute. She compares the dew drops on the grass to the tears on her cheeks and urges Radha not to waste time but run to meet him as he is eagerly awaiting her arrival. A thillana followed in raagam Surya, praising Lord Surya, the sun god, set to taalam Adi.

Taruni showed Surya travelling in his chariot and the cavorting horses brilliantly. This was composed by Sri Raj Kumar Bharati. Abhang: “Bhakta Jana Vatsale” – Come O Vitthalla, for the love of your devotee - penned by Sant Namdev set in raagam Vridaavani Saarang and Eka taalam was the last item of the recital. The chief guest at the event was Information & Public Relations Commissioner Dr Chandravadan.

By:Anna Rao