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 Deepa Raghavan's margam on Krishna - V.V. Ramani e-mail: ramanigaru@gmail.com February 19, 2025 To celebrate the month of Margazhi, Deepa Raghavan chose to present a Margam dedicated to Krishna for her performance at Narada Gana Sabha. Heralding the season, she began with the celebrated verses from Nachiyar Thirumozhi, 'Margazhi Thingal' in ragam Nattai, which she danced expressing the ideas embedded in the lines. The Nayika is totally immersed and lost in the splendour of the place and the magnificent stature of her lord when she is shaken out of her reverie and brought back to reality. Choosing to start with the lines 'Mahitalam pughazum' to establish the persona of the nayaka on whom the Anandhbhairavi Varnam 'Sakhiye indha Velaiyil,' a composition of the Tanjore Quartette revolves, was an interesting touch at the beginning of the song. My dear sakhi, this is the ideal time for me to be with my lord, says the nayika. Can you see how the birds, deer, bees and the whole atmosphere around reflect love and passion? Don't you understand my feelings, my tormented state, please go and fetch my lord, she says. Deepa's description of the architectural splendour, the sculptures, the temple festivities and also the expression of love, distress and the torture of Kamadeva's arrow were engrossing. Crisp, clear footwork and movements that matched the mridangam arudis, were enhanced in certain places, where the lilt in her nritta added finesse.  Deepa Raghavan Eeswar Ramakrishnan's beautiful melody, set the tone for the prelude, where Radha enters the bower, to the ashtapadi.'Yahi Madhava' in raga Sindhubhairavi. Radha's anger when she finds telltale marks of lip color on his body and disheveled state of hair and attire, was danced with the dancer communicating varied shades of emotions in an evocative manner. The transition between Krishna and Radha was done in a seamless manner. The Kshetrayya Padam, 'Moghuduchi pilachedu' in ragam Sahana, speaks of a girl bidding a tearful farewell to Krishna, explaining how she was married as a child and now had to leave him and go to her husband's place. The innocence of the young girl, her anguish was conveyed well through abhinaya by Deepa using metaphors of moon and sun and other elements. The vibrant Kadanakudukalam Thillana composed by Balamuralikrishna, a lively medley of music and movement was a fine choice to conclude the performance, on a vibrant note. L Subashri Ravi wielded the cymbals with aplomb. Binu Venugopal enriched the presentation with his melodic vocal support. Ramamoorthy Sriganesh's firm, powerful strokes on the mridangam and Eeswar Ramakrishnan's melodious violin support were an asset to the visual experience.  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. |
