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 Sundari Charitam - Shashank Kiron Nair e-mail: shashank.k.nair@gmail.com Photos courtesy: Kalanidhi Dance January 15, 2024 The illustrious 111-day long Soorya Festival (organized by Soorya Krishnamurthy and his team of dedicated volunteers), a pinnacle of the global art scene, commemorated its 100th day of this edition on January 8, 2024 at Thiruvananthapuram. The festival featured a Kuchipudi dance drama presented by Kalanidhi Dance from Washington DC, led by Anuradha Nehru.  'Sundari Charitam' is a Kuchipudi adaptation of the timeless tale of 'Beauty and the Beast.' The adaptation embraced Kuchipudi's iconic Kalapam style, renowned for its rich sense of drama and humor. The production commenced with an introductory piece, setting the stage for the narrative to unfold. Sundari, in a pravesha daru, entered the scene, captivating the audience with understated grace, immediately drawing them into the immersive experience. The storyline seamlessly transitioned into the heart of the tale, entering the palace of the beast. An imaginative dance segment conveyed the mystical and eerie yet welcoming ambiance of the palace and garden. The choreography was complemented by exquisite music that was purely classical but brilliantly composed to evoke the desired effect. As the story progressed, the characters of Viroopanga, the Beast, and Swapna Rasika, the Fairy, were introduced, each portrayed with nuance and depth. A touch of Indian storytelling was seamlessly woven into the script, featuring a quick, sprightly rendition of the Mohini-Bhasmasura dance drama as performed by the monkey friends of Viroopanga at the palace. 
The production achieves its triumph through a harmonious convergence of Indian and Western artistry. This is strikingly evident in the pivotal scene where Viroopanga requests a dance with Sundari. The masterful choreography seamlessly blends Ballroom dance with Kuchipudi, skillfully preserving the authenticity of both the Western narrative and the inherent grammar of the Kuchipudi form. 'Sundari Charitam' conceived by Srilekha Jayanthi, showcased an original Telugu script by Dr. Rajani Malladi and a music score composed by Sweta Prasad. In contrast to contemporary trends characterized by cluttered choreographies employing a multitude of dancers, apparently designed to potentially bewilder the audience, this production remained deeply rooted in classicism, staying true to the Kuchipudi tradition while offering a thoroughly refreshing and innovative perspective. Every detail, from music and choreography to aaharya and stage props, reflected a meticulous attention to excellence. The presentation was a visual and artistic feast, leaving the packed auditorium brimming with enthralled rasikas. It was an extraordinary celebration, marking the 100-day milestone of Soorya Festival and epitomized the festival's commitment to showcasing excellence in the arts.  Shashank Kiron Nair is a Bharatanatyam dancer, Carnatic vocalist and student of Architecture at BMS College of Architecture. He is a recipient of the Kalashree Prashasti 2017-18 and Karnataka Sangeetha Nritya Academy scholarship 2021-22. |
