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 'Eternal Enchantment' by Nrityantar - V.V. Ramani e-mail: ramanigaru@gmail.com December 18, 2023 Practitioners of Odissi dance style have fine-tuned the aesthetics of group choreography in their presentations over a period of time. From the use of melodious musical score, interesting group formations and movements and coordinated costume colours, lighting design to the final presentation in a professional way, every aspect is handled with finesse. Madhulita Mohapatra and dancers of her Nrityantar dance ensemble presented 'Eternal Enchantment', an evening of Odissi at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Navavidha Navaratri Festival in Chennai.  Madhulita Mohapatra in 'Yahi Madhava' Pallavi which means 'to grow' in Sanskrit, forms an important part of the Odissi dance repertoire. Focused on melody and rhythm, the dance passages and rhythmic patterns run parallel. The grace of the movements with an emphasis on tribhangi postures, grows in pace and complexity as the dance progresses. Madhulita and her group presented a Pallavi in raga Malhar set to music by Bijay Kumar Jena and rhythm composition by Bijay Kumar Barik. The varied linear patterns and formations choreographed by Madhulita, were danced with beautiful coordination and finesse by the dancers and the melody of the musical notes enhanced the impact. The ashtapadi "Yahi Madhava" which highlights the emotions of an angry Radha, is also a popular choice of many dancers. The varied shades of emotions ranging from intense love that she has for Krishna, anticipation as she awaits his arrival, dejection leading up to anger, finally asking him to go away, were communicated with sensitivity by Madhulita. The musical composition by Ramhari Das in raga Bhairavi, conveyed the mood expressed in this ashtapadi evocatively.  Ishwari The facets and power of goddess Durga was visualised in an interesting manner in 'Ishwari'. The rhythmic beats of Nisan, Dhol and Ghanta used in traditional Sambhalpuri music, when the goddess Manikeshwari is taken on the Chattar Jatra procession of Kalahandi, was woven into this composition. The narrative that dealt with varied facets of the goddess Maa Chamundeshwari and Maa Durgeshwari, culminated with a dynamic visualisation of Durga vanquishing the evil rakshasa Mahishasura. The high energy dance passages in choreography, varied group movements, dynamics of interesting friezes, music and rhythm, were woven together effectively to reflect the power of the Devis. The maturity and sensitivity of the two artistes Madhulita and Sahana R Maiya, enhanced the impact of the emotions being portrayed in the Oriya song "Radha Vadana" from Jayadeva's ashtapadi. Composed by Subas Pani in raga Kalyan with choreography by Aruna Mohanty, the song deals with the intense expression of love between Radha and Krishna. After prolonged separation, Krishna awaits the arrival of Radha and after she enters the Kunja, their romance was conveyed through beautiful poetic allegories by the dancers. The comparison of his dazzling earrings to the radiance of sun rays, pearls on his chest looking like the sparkling foam on the waves of Yamuna, her face radiant like the moon, her movement like bird flying over a lake filled with lotus flowers, were some of the impressive sancharis. The final moment where the jivatma unites with paramatma, the impact of the deep philosophical thought embedded in this composition, elevated the performance to a higher plane. Ending the evening on a philosophical note, the importance of bhakti and devotion to the supreme being to attain salvation from worldly bondage was emphasized in the Purandaradasa Devarnana "Harismarane Mado." The episodes of Gajendra Moksha, Prahalada and Narasimha, Draupadi Vastraapaharana were incorporated into the narrative.  Radha Vadana The finesse that was seen in the dancers' movements and expressions, professionalism in detailing every aspect of presentation combined with melodious musical accompaniment, left a lasting impact. Sahana R Maiya, Rashmi Divakaran, Nandana S Kumar, Angelina Avnee and Madhulita Mohapatra were the dancers.  V.V. Ramani is a Chennai based multi-dimensional artist working in diverse fields ranging from collages and painting, teaching art, textile and costume designing, stage sets designing and wedding decor, to writing on visual and performing arts. |
