|     |
|
| |
 Nritya Moksha - An aesthetic spiritual journey - Vijay Shanker e-mail: vijaydance@gmail.com October 11, 2024 Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) presented Nritya Moksha in the Odissi style by talented dancer Vrinda Chadha at the Cube auditorium in Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai on 25th August. The performance was an aesthetic journey of delight.  The repertoire consisted of traditional Odia compositions and some innovative numbers that were quite ideal for the contemporary audience and also highlighted the legacy of eminent Guru Mayadhar Raut. Vrinda Chadha is the senior disciple of Guru Ranjana Gauhar who has established Utsav Educational and Cultural Society for the promotion and propagation of classical arts in Delhi. The performance commenced with a beautiful composition of Maharaja Swati Tirunal "Vishweshwar darshan ko chalo mann Kashi" in raag Asavari in Ektali and khemta. The poet says, "If you pray to him with love, the compassionate one will surely cut asunder the cycle of life and death". The dancer further takes you on a journey to Kashi through the route of divine Ganga to witness the darshan of the Lord adorned by the Holy ash, the trident, the serpent, sharing his physical form with Girija, daughter of the mountain. The poet further refers to lotus eyed Padmanabha and three eyed Maheshwara, forming a combination of both Hari and Hara. The second number was the Banamali composition, "Sangini re" in praise of Lord Krishna and says that Krishna steals the heart of the Gopis, just the way he steals the troubles of the devotees. Vrinda performed with natural elegance and subtle expressions that created a lasting impression on the spectators. In the Odia composition "Biti lata jaimini" written in Oriya by Kavi Kalicharan Patnaik, the music is composed by Balkrishan Das, a disciple of Ustad Bade Gulam Ali Khan, whose thumri composition "Aye na baalam, ka karu sajni" inspired him to compose "Biti lata jamini" in the Thumri style. As the lyrics suggest, this intense number pertains to viraha of Radha as she waits endlessly, the night passes and the Lord has still not arrived. Vrinda’s complete involvement created the desired rasanubuti, striking well with the audience.  The Saveri Pallavi was a fine combination of music, melody and rhythm with the juxtaposition of stylized dance movements inclusive of chauka and tribangis creating a fine spectacle of Odissi elegance and subtlety. The finale number in raag Megh was the innovative choreography of Guru Ranjana Gauhar exploring the excitement of the monsoon season with thrilling music by Saroj Mohanty. On the whole, it was a fine journey of aesthetic and spiritual quality.  Vijay Shankar is a Kuchipudi and Kathakali exponent, teacher, bilingual journalist, arts critic and actor. |
