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 Treasured memories and revival of traditional compositions - Kavya Kasinathan e-mail: kavyakasinathanv@yahoo.co.in September 8, 2022 The Art fraternity received a valuable gift on the 31st of July 2022. A seven volume book series compiled and written by author, performing artiste and dance guru Padma S Chittampalli was launched in the gracious presence of the Princess of Mysore Kamakshi Devi (daughter of HH Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar) and HRH Babaji Rajah Bhonsle (Thanjavur Maratha lineage), Anoor Anantha Krishna Sharma, H. N. Suresh and K.P.K. Thanjai Chandrasekaran Kittappa Pillai alongside a treat of performances of rare and unheard compositions.  The book series, a treasure of a rich heritage, covers the life, legacy, and art of her teacher, Guru Nala Najan and the Mysore Bharatanatya Sampradaya as passed down by Asthana Vidushis Sundaramma and Nagarathnamma to Nala Najan.  Guru Nala Najan migrated to India as a teenager in pursuit of Bharatanatyam and learnt under stalwarts like Guru Muthukumara Pillai and Asthana Vidushis Sundaramma and Nagarathnamma from Mysore. Nala Najan will always be fondly remembered in dance history as a pioneer who was foreigner by birth but Indian of soul. Padma S Chittampalli hailing from a musical family from Mysore, was one among the prime disciples of Nala Najan. These books are the result of her experience of learning classic Indian art under him. She humbly submitted the collection of books as her Guru Dakshina. The book launch ceremony at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore, started off with a Pushpanjali and Ganapati stuti performed by the granddaughter of Dr. Lalitha Srinivasan. Padmini Sreedhar also performed two shlokas paying respects to the sabha and stage as preludes to the pieces that followed.  Padmini Sreedhar The next segment was presented by the disciples of Padmini Sreedhar and Poornima Gururaja. They presented several rare compositions and choreographies as learnt by Padma S Chitampalli and how it was performed in the royal courts of Mysore.  Alari These compositions included an Alari, a unique facet of the Mysore style. The graceful movements of the Alari were in stark contrast to the linear framework of the Alaripus we see today. Other rare pieces that were presented included an Ashtadigpalaka Pushpanjali, selections of the Bairavi Varnam which described the Ashtabhoga Seva. This Varnam was initially performed by Mysore Asthana Vidhushis at the Thanjavur court commissioned by the then Mysore Wodeyar King. The performance segment culminated with a captivating and expressive Padam performed by Poornima Gururaja who exuded beauty and charm throughout the Padam and a thematic Madana Javali describing the attributes and beauty of Manmatha.  Ashtadigpalaka Pushpanjali  Poornima Gururaja The audience were also treated to archival video performances of Nala Najan. They were treated with his vibrant and spritely presentation of an Alaripu in the Thanjavur style. His Bharatanatyam was exquisite and his costumes, regal. The video also included a short clipping of Nala Najan performing a Purandaradasa Devarnama "Idu Bhagya". He is said to have greatly popularised Kannada compositions through his performances. He gave much prominence to the language and had choreographed many Kannada pieces apart from those he learnt from his gurus. The entire program was a memorable one and definitely marks a historical moment in the field of Bharatanatyam recording and documenting the pride of the Mysore styles and the confluence of the Thanjavur and Mysore court styles and cultures.  Kavya Kasinathan is a Bharatanatyam dancer and a passionate writer who is pursuing her Masters in English Literature. |
