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 Bud to blossom - Saraswathi Vasudevan e-mail: sarvas169@yahoo.co.in January 28, 2023 The fine balance of talent, training, skill, diligence and commitment defined Samyuktha Kumar's performance with the unstinted patronage of Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha. The Enchanting Blue God being the central theme, Samyuktha breezed in and out of the stage, vividly painting colourful moving images through the items presented. Setting an auspicious tone, the Thodaya Mangalam ushered the Gods seeking their benevolence and blessings as a commencement.  The Kalyani Varnam "Sakhiye nee solladi" was a well met challenge for the young, attractive dancer. Samyuktha rose to every sanchari with an internalization that proved her mettle for the art. Despite the infusion of several long drawn sancharis in the sahitya portions, choreographed for the dancer, she switched emotions efficiently to delineate the manifold moods and moments of a lovelorn Nayika. Her nritta passages too demonstrated the steady evolution from a budding artiste (witnessed prior to the pandemic) who has since blossomed to a promising performer. The Ragamalika padam "Baro Krishnaiyya" brought forth her appeal to Lord Krishna convincingly depicting a multiplicity of his greatness. The delineation of the devotee's preparations for Gokulashtami, the bhakti and the yearning for his entry into her home and her heart, the sudden flash of knocks on her door, the vision of the Mystic Lord entering in were wonderfully expressed on the spatial canvas. "Era ra ra" the popular javali in Kamas tested the young dancer's sringara rasa which she did justice to. Samyuktha's blossoming was evident in that she conveyed the delicate emotion of love with dignity. Dr. Balamuralikrishna's Brindavani Tillana made for a fitting finale, crisp, neat, displaying a spring in her step surrendering to Krishna. Samyuktha's well understood mukhabhinaya coupled with swift footwork gave the rasikas the joy of dance as a whole. Guru Nagapriya Karthikeyan wielded the nattuvangam to the resounding rhythmic calculations of the much sought after mridangist Shaktivel Muruganandam. The passionate vocal renditions replete with emotion by Dr.Girija Ramaswamy was divine music to the ears. The confluence of the highly experienced senior artistes, Ramesh's melodic flute elaborations and MS Kannan's fluid bowing technique was a great take away! With an orchestral ensemble of such a high calibre, it was evident that Samyuktha had an added shower of blessings to further enhance her performance. Noteworthy mention must be made of the ragas Kalyani, Kamas and Brindavani as a prelude to the items by the stalwarts.  Saraswathi Vasudevan is a dancer, actor, writer, educationist and professional compere. She has reviewed dance performances in The Hindu- Friday Review, Indian Express and in online portals. |
