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 Varna - Hues of colours - Bijoy Shivram e-mail: bijoyshivram@gmail.com Photos: Nishad Anantani January 15, 2025 Shivangee Vikram is a distinguished Bharatanatyam artiste whose journey reflects a harmonious blend of tradition, artistry, and mentorship. Initially guided by her mother, Dr. Uma Anantani, she received formal training at Nalanda Nrityakala Mahavidyalaya, University of Mumbai, supported by a National Scholarship. With over two decades of experience, she has excelled as a solo performer, principal dancer, and co-choreographer for Rasadhwani's creative productions, while mentoring young dancers as a visiting faculty member at JG College of Performing Arts, Ahmedabad. Her artistic depth was profoundly shaped by her mentor, Guru Vaibhav Arekar, whose guidance has refined her expressions and emotional depth. An ICCR-empanelled artist, Shivangee continues to innovate while staying rooted in Bharatanatyam's timeless traditions.  Shivangee's recent solo recital, Varna-Hues of Colour, held on January 11th at St. Xavier College, Ahmedabad, was a stunning demonstration of her technical prowess, emotional depth, and artistic vision. Chakra Alarippu, a profound re-imagination of the traditional Alarippu, impressed with its rich symbolic depth and intricate design. Created by the Tanjore Quartet, its evolution through extensive research reveals a divine connection, making it both a spiritual and artistic masterpiece. Rooted in Vedic traditions, it draws from symbolic devices used to manifest Nirguna Brahm: Yantra (mystic diagram), Mantra (sacred sound), Mudra (gestures), and Tantra (spiritual weaving). These elements converge beautifully in the Chakra Alarippu. The performance uniquely highlights the five chakras, each associated with an element, animal, mudra, mantra, and lotus petals, enriching the dance with layers of meaning: Muladhara - Earth, Elephant, 'Lam'; Swadhisthana - Water, Crocodile, 'Vam'; Manipura - Fire, Ram, 'Ram'; Anahata - Ether, Deer, 'Yam' and Vishuddha - Air, Antelope, 'Hum' These sacred sounds unite into Omkara, while the cyclic rhythm (aavartana) combines five beat patterns (4, 3, 7, 5, 9), mirroring chakra placement within the body. The meditative experience invokes the Mother Goddess, symbolizing a soul's yearning for union with the Supreme Brahm. Conceived and choreographed by Dr. Uma Anantani and Shivangee, with music by Jayan Nair and percussion by Satish Krishnamurthy, Chakra Alarippu stands as a breathtaking confluence of tradition, spirituality, and artistic brilliance. Following this, the Varnam presented a rich emotional depth, a hallmark of Bharatanatyam. Composed by Maharaja Swati Thirunal, the Varnam explored vipralambha sringara—the poignant agony of separation in love. The portrayal of the nayika (heroine) in longing for Madhava (Lord Vishnu) was conveyed through a fusion of angika (gestural) and sattvika (emotional) abhinaya. The emotional arc of the nayika, symbolized by the five arrows of Kamadeva, was meticulously captured as her emotions fluctuated between illusion, intoxication, withering, infliction, and immobilization. Shivangee's portrayal brought both the technical intricacy and emotional depth to life, demonstrating her remarkable ability to balance the two.  The evening also featured the ashtapadi "Lalita Lavanga," a lyrical treasure from Jayadeva's Geeta Govinda, which beautifully celebrates the eternal love between Radha and Krishna. Shivangee's rendition of this 12th-century devotional work was tender and sublime, capturing the spiritual and emotional union of prakriti (nature) and purusha (cosmic spirit). Through the gentle intercession of the sakhi, the portrayal of Radha's yearning for Krishna was brought to life with grace and subtlety. Shivangee's expressive abhinaya illuminated Jayadeva's poetry, weaving a tapestry of emotions that resonated deeply with the audience. The performance also included a specially composed Varna for the evening, crafted from the evocative poetry of Dr. Uma Anantani and set to the musical composition of Vanraj Shastri. The Varna in Ragamalika and Chatushra Eka seamlessly blended art, sound, and spirit, creating a transformative experience for all in attendance. Shivangee Vikram's Varna-Hues of Colour was not just a performance; it was a transcendental journey. Her ability to weave technical brilliance with profound emotional resonance elevated the experience, moving from the physical to the divine. In every moment, Shivangee displayed her extraordinary skill, reaffirming her place as one of Bharatanatyam's promising interpreters. The performance culminated with a vibrant Tillana in Shivranjani raagam, composed by the legendary Maharajapuram Santhanam and arranged by the young and promising musician from Ahmedabad Jayan Nair, set to talam adi. This short yet exuberant piece rendered with precision and joyful energy, ended the performance to a lively and uplifting close. Shivangee's impeccable execution of the Tillana displayed not only her technical mastery but also her ability to imbue vitality and grace into every intricate rhythm. With swift movements and crisp nritta, she gave full justice to the composition, leaving the audience with a deep sense of exhilaration and fulfilment. Special appreciation goes to the talented young lighting designer, Parth Raval, whose artistic lighting design played a pivotal role in enhancing the visual experience of the performance. His keen sense of aesthetics and technical expertise beautifully captured the essence of each movement, illuminating every nuance with precision and grace. It heightened the emotional depth of the presentation and also seamlessly complemented the choreography, creating a captivating atmosphere that enriched the audience's experience. Parth's contribution added a dynamic visual dimension, making the performance truly memorable.  Bijoy Shivram is an accomplished Indian classical dancer trained in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. A passionate promoter of the arts and a skilled graphic designer, he currently serves as the Vice Principal of JG College of Performing Arts and the Assistant Director (Operations) overseeing 17 JG colleges. He is also the founder of Preksha, an organization dedicated to the promotion of art and culture in Ahmedabad. Since 2020, Bijoy has curated the YouTube series 'Gurudakshina - An Ode to our Gurus,' celebrating the legacy of mentorship and tradition. |
