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 Rasanubhava - Satish Suri e-mail: satishism@yahoo.co.in Photos: Madhukar June 17, 2024 'Rasanaubhava' by Shankar Kandaswamy and his disciple Ananya M transformed the Indian Institute of World Culture Hall in Bangalore into a realm of cultural splendour on the 31st of May. The audience was captivated as the hall filled to capacity and witnessed a vibrant display of classical dance. The event commenced with a Pushpanjali, a traditional offering choreographed to the composition of Dr M. Balamuralikrishna, in honour of Lord Ganesha. This auspicious beginning set the stage for a profound tribute to Lord Shiva for auspiciousness that hallmarked an absorbing and delightful rendition noteworthy for precise mudras and graceful adavus.  The Jatiswaram, a pure dance piece in Bharatanatyam, is known for its intricate rhythmic patterns and melodic structures. When performed in the Nalinikanthi raga and set to rupaka tala, it takes on a distinctive character that is both challenging and delightful to execute. The dancers' ability to synchronize their movements with the syllabic sounds of the Jatiswaram is crucial, as it adds a layer of complexity to the performance. The duo's performance, characterized by their telling movements and the unique flavour they brought to the piece, exemplified the beauty of this dance form and its capacity to convey rhythm through dance. The precision of their footwork, in alignment with the musical tempo, created a visual representation of the music itself. Dikshitar's composition "Kanchadalayadakshi" in Kamala Manohari raga beautifully captures the exquisite glory and beauty of the Goddess Kamakshi. The lyrics describe the devotee's surrender to the benevolence and fortitude of the Divine Mother. In the performance by Shankar Kandaswamy and Ananya M, the dancers through their precise footwork, graceful hand gestures, and expressive facial expressions, brought to life the beautiful imagery of the Goddess Kamakshi. The choreography, crafted specifically for this performance, enhanced the narrative by highlighting the divine qualities of the Goddess and the devotion of the devotee. "Eppadithan en ullam," a composition by Oothukadu Venkata Kavi, captures the essence of spiritual wonderment and surrender. It is a narrative that explores the mystical ways in which the divine can infiltrate the human heart, leading one on a path of servitude so subtle yet so profound. The imagery of Krishna's playful acts and the cosmic visions he imparts to his devotees were depicted as transformative experiences that transcend ordinary perception. The artistes' interpretation of these divine interactions was like a meditation that invited the audience to experience the divine play of Krishna. Through the melodic contours of Neelambari raga, the composition became an auditory and visual journey that echoed the timeless tales of devotion, where the divine and the mortal realm meet in a dance of cosmic harmony.  The highlight of the evening was a solo rendition by Shankar Kandaswamy of the story of Nandanar, a devout devotee unable to enter the temple of Lord Shiva due to his caste. In this heartfelt performance, the devotee prayed to the Lord to move the bull, which obstructed his view of the deity. As he stood in anguish and dismay, the devotee pleaded with utmost devotion, and to his sheer joy, Lord Shiva moved the bull, granting his ardent devotee his blessings. The presentation was graced with histrionic eloquence and meaningful expressions. The dancer showcased his strength in both angika and satwika abhinaya as he skilfully conveyed the emotions and depth of the story through synchronous movements, from torso to expression, footwork to statuesque postures. Subrahmanya Bharati's composition "Dikku teriyada kattil" beautifully narrates the story of a heroine wandering lost in the forest, amazed by the beauty of the world around her but also aware of the dangers of losing her way. On her journey, she encounters a hunter who demands her time and attention. Filled with fear, she cries out to Lord Krishna, desperately seeking his help to release her from this predicament. Overwhelmed, she falls unconscious. To her astonishment, as she awakens, she sees her beloved Lord Krishna standing before her. She realizes that the hunter is none other than Krishna in disguise. The choreography effectively embodied both the Natya dharmi (the technical aspects of dance) and Lok dharmi (realistic and relatable elements). The incorporation of hasya rasa added an engaging and entertaining touch to the presentation. Ananya M, through her solo performance, skillfully touched upon various high points of evocative expression, showcasing a finely balanced combination of nritta and abhinaya. Her portrayal of the heroine's emotions, from fear and longing to the ultimate realization and joy, captivated the audience. The duo concluded their performance with a Thillana, a composition known for its intricate melodic patterns and expressions filled with joy and enthusiasm. The Thillana reflected the celebratory mood of the piece, and as the music swirled and pulsed, graceful movements filled the stage, creating a sense of exhilaration. The dancers skillfully drew the audience into the rhythmic tapestry of the performance, leaving them enthralled by the vibrant and dynamic finale. The music ensemble consisting of Nandakumar Unnikrishnan on vocal, Prasanna Kumar on nattuvangam, Harsha Samaga on mridangam, and Jayaram Kikkeri on flute, played a crucial role in ensuring that the music matched the mood of every composition, thereby heightening the overall appeal of the performance. Their collective efforts created a harmonious blend of sound that complemented the dancers' movements and enhanced the emotional impact of each piece. Additionally, the anchor Roopashree Madhusudan, added a poetic flavour with her introductions. Her eloquent and engaging descriptions set the stage and provided the audience with a deeper understanding of the themes and emotions explored in each composition, adding to the richness of the overall presentation.  Bangalore based Satish Suri is an avid dance rasika besides being a life member of the Music and Arts Society. |
