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 Sarvam Vishnu Mayam - Satish Suri e-mail:satishism@yahoo.co.in Photos: Suresh Babu July 2, 2023 The thematic presentation by Swapna Rajendrakumar and her disciples in the format of a Mohiniattam repertoire dedicated as a tribute to Guru Kalamandalam Kshemavathy was well conceived and well executed. The curtain raiser "Ekadantham" in Ragamalika and adi talam composed by the Late M.K.Vasudevan was a captivating piece in which the dancer invokes the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Describing Ganesha's many features and attributes allowed the dancer to explore and express various aspects of the deity's persona.  Swapna Rajendrakumar The centrepiece, a varnam in Saramathi ragam was a fascinating exploration of the story of Manjula, an ardent devotee of Lord Guruvayurappan, and the glory of Manjulal, the banyan tree named after her. The storyline of Manjula's devotion and her inability to offer a garland to her beloved Lord due to the temple's closed doors added a sense of longing and devotion to the narrative. The intervention of Vilwamangalam Swami, who suggests offering the garland to the banyan tree introduces an unexpected twist to the tale. The subsequent phenomenon of the garland appearing on the idol repeatedly, even after being removed by the priest, showcases the divine acceptance of Manjula's offering and her pure devotion. This leads to the banyan tree being named Manjulal and becoming a symbol of unwavering bhakti at the Guruvayur temple. The lyrics by Thrissur Mohan Kumar and the music composition by Vayala Rajendran provided a strong foundation for the narrative. Swapna Rajendrakumar's rendition showcased the dynamics of Mohiniattam, characterised by graceful and fluid movements. The kinetic patterns, including rhythmic complexities and melodic variations, beautifully complemented the ornamentations in the song enhancing the meaning of the lyrics. Her expressive storytelling through facial expressions and hand gestures brought to life the concepts and emotions portrayed in the composition. "Ajitha hare," the next solo piece performed by Swapna in Sree ragam and adi talam, a famous Kathakali padam was taken from ‘Kuchela Vrutham' and adapted to a Mohiniattam format. The context of the composition revolves around the reunion of Krishna and Sudhama after a long time. Sudhama, when asked by Krishna about his whereabouts and the delay in his visit responds with a deep reverence and admiration for Krishna's divine persona. Sudhama acknowledges Krishna's invincibility and his revered status, expressing how Krishna's divine presence has always brightened his mind. While Sudhama refrains from mentioning his poverty, he highlights Krishna's role as the charioteer of Arjuna in the Mahabharata war and his profound advice through the teachings of the Geetha Upadesham. To conclude his expression of gratitude and contentment, Sudhama humbly states that meeting Krishna has fulfilled his ultimate desire. He feels he has nothing more to ask for in life. The adaptation of this renowned Kathakali padam to suit the Mohiniattam dance form allowed for a fresh interpretation and exploration of the narrative. It provided a unique opportunity to witness a seamless blend of storytelling, expressive gestures, footwork, and musical characteristics of Mohiniattam. Overall, it was an emotive presentation capturing the essence of the divine connection between Krishna and Sudhama in the context of their relationship.  Following this was a group presentation titled "Gopa vadhu janam aranyilya" that weaves together various episodes in the life of Lord Krishna such as Poothana Moksham, where Krishna liberates the demoness Poothana; Yashoda seeing the entire universe within Krishna's mouth, a moment of divine revelation; and the Kalia Mardhanam episode, where Krishna subdues the serpent Kalia. Through this group presentation, Swapna and her disciples, including Archana Hegde, Bhavya Bijoy, Jyothi Ramachandran, Meghana Madhavan, Malini Pillai and Shruthy Retesh brought these stories to life through their synchronised movements, expressions and storytelling abilities. The ashtapadi "Pralaya payodhi jale" from the Gita Govinda by poet Jayadeva praises the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The composition with its melodic variations in Ragamalika and rhythm structure in adi talam captures the essence of each avatar and its divine attributes. The ashtapadi takes the rasikas on a poetic journey, praising the various forms in which Lord Vishnu manifested to protect and guide the world. Swapna Rajendrakumar depicted the greatness and significance of each incarnation, creating a visually enchanting and spiritually uplifting experience for the audience. The Thillana in ragam Bhoopalam performed by Swapna and her disciples Bhavya Bijoy, Jyothi Ramachandran, Megna Madhavan, and Shruthy Retesh set a delightful and energetic finale to their Mohiniattam recital. It showcased the rich musical heritage of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal's composition (artistically interpreted by Balamuralikrishna) through the graceful movements and artistry of the dancers. The accomplished music ensemble consisting of highly skilled musicians added depth and richness to the presentation. Guru Kalamandalam Kshemavathy, handling the nattuvangam brought her expertise and years of experience in Mohiniattam to create the rhythmic framework for the dancers, ensuring precise coordination between the movements and the musical elements. Bijeesh Krishna, with his melodious vocal rendition, enhanced the emotional and devotional aspects of the performance. Charudutt V.V, an accomplished mridangam player, provided the rhythmic backbone to the music ensemble. His intricate and synchronised beats created a dynamic and energetic atmosphere. A. Shankar Raman on the veena added a melodic depth to the performance. The resonant and expressive notes of the veena beautifully supported the dance movements and brought out the nuances of the ragas and compositions. Murali Narayan, a Guinness world record holder on the flute, enriched the music ensemble with his mesmerising flute melodies evoking a sense of serenity and beauty. Thrissur Ajit Kumar on the edakka added a traditional touch and provided a strong foundation for the entire performance. Together, these talented musicians contributed to the captivating experience of the Mohiniattam presentation, creating a harmonious fusion of music and dance.  Bangalore based Satish Suri is an avid dance rasika besides being a life member of the Music and Arts Society. |
