|     |
|
| |
 Dance dramas of love and loss- Vijay Shankere-mail: vijaydance@gmail.com July 6, 2025 NALA-DAMAYANTI Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre presented two dance dramas pertaining to the emotions of love and loss at the Studio Theatre on 7th June. Guru Ranjana Gauhar arrived with the Utsav team of dancers with an animated visual presentation that dominated the scenario taking the story forward of Nala-Damayanti with powerful and vibrant movements in the Odissi style, the flamboyant and the elegant movements of the Chhau dancers, melodious music, fine team work, each scene merging into the other as the story unfolded about love, loss, deceit, frustration and ultimate union with a happy ending as good persons and deeds are always rewarded due to divine intervention. 
It is believed that life is pre-destined for man, hence everything happens accordingly. Man is not in a position to foresee his future but it is his present action that would determine his future. Nala-Damayanti is the story of a victim who falls to circumstances and temptations. The golden swan plays the cupid between Nala and Damayanti and in the Swayamvaram, Damayanti chooses Nala as her husband, The marriage is solemnised and everything goes well but on a particular day Nala's cousin plays a game of dice with Nala and subsequently he loses everything. Dejected and disheartened Nala leaves his wife, but after some days of suffering, Nala unites with his wife and they live happily. The entire presentation was quite spectacular with fine teamwork, melodious music by Bankim Sethi, music arranged by Saroj Mohanty with perfect synchronisation of dance and music. The expressions of lead dancers Vinod Kevin Bachan and Vrinda Chadha could be better. The lead role of Nala was played by Vinod Kevin Bachan, Damayanti was played by Vrinda Chadha, the Swan was well enacted by Sudhir Kumar with typical characteristic movements of the bird. The dancers included Swati Sharma, Archisha Arya, Lavanya Chugh, Urjaswi Dutta, Himesh Premchand and Shriram Kumar. Technical director was Sandeeo Dutta. RAVAN-MANDODARI SAMVAAD Rajashree Shirke's contribution as a veteran Bharatanatyam and Kathak exponent, mentor and choreographer, spans for over five decades. With her particular contribution towards theatrical dance with the inclusion of 'vachika abhinaya', she has established herself as a fine actress too and has already performed for some of the most prestigious festivals organised by both Sangeeta Natak Akademi and National School of Drama.  Rajashree Shirke Rajashree and her team of talented dancers from Lasya Academy presented the emotional, thought provoking and dramatic dance drama Ravan Mandodari Samvaad in the same premises. Inclusive of vachika abhinaya and powerful dramatization, this soul stirring presentation of the two different personalities, the arrogant and conceited Ravana and his devoted wife Mandodari who repeatedly warns him of his evil actions as she could perceive his doom, but he never listens. The group enacted this amazing production with powerful movements, teamwork, the laughter of arrogance and conceit. The death scene of Ravana was dramatised with lot of intensity and involvement, attracting a standing ovation from the audience. Unlike Ravana, most people are not aware of the character significance of Mandodari, hence this production has become a major hit in most dance and theatre festivals. Kudos to the complete team led by Guru Rajashree Shirke. Commendable vocal rendering by Pt Manoj Desai and drums by the brilliant artiste Aniruddha Shirke. On the whole, it was an unusual presentation with a strong message towards the value of ethical and social values. REMINISCING THE GOLDEN WOMAN - DR KANAK RELE Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya and IQAC in collaboration with the Cultural Committee and Alumni Association celebrated the Founder's Day 2025, 'Reminiscing the Golden Woman - Kanak Rele' with a special tribute Mohiniattam performance by the senior disciples of the great mentor and renowned Mohiniattam dancer. The programme was conceptualized and directed by Kalamandalam C. Gopalakrishnan at the Kanaka Sabha auditorium on 11th June in Mumbai. Dr Uma Rele, principal of Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya and director of Nalanda Dance Research centre said, "Whatever we are able to do today it is due to her guidance and blessings for which we will always be indebted to Kanak Behn". Guru Deepak Mazumdar, seniormost disciple of Dr Kanak Rele, said, "Although physically she is not with us, her spirit and her blessings forms an integral part of my well-being and existence. Every year we used to meet for lunch as 11 June was her birthday, and I always cherish those moments. I am glad her Mohiniattam bani moves forward with several disciples performing, in a most befitting tribute to the great personality who introduced a new dimension and enhanced its technical excellence".  Dr Dimple Nair The senior disciples who performed were Dr Dimple Nair from Doha, Qatar, Sneha Nambiar from Muscat, Radhika Vishwanath from Kerala, Nayana Prakash from Mumbai and Unnati Ajmera from Rajkot. The programme commenced with group invocation, Madhyamavati Ganapati. It was a pleasure to watch the dancers describing the glory and power of the elephant headed God, followed by Dheergavandana Mallika by Sneha Nambiar incorporating the independent swadhinabatruka nayika who misses her lover and adorns herself as vasakasajja waiting for her Lord. 'Ritudruva' was presented by all the dancers that glorified the magnificence of the seasonal changes and its impact on human life and existence.  Sneha Nambiar  Unnati Ajmera Dr Kanak Rele was particularly concerned about women empowerment, hence women centric themes were taken and presented with a social message towards the upliftment and betterment of the welfare of the women of contemporary society. Two such themes were presented, namely Kubja, the story of the woman who had a hunch and was a slave to wicked king Kamsa. She was also a great devotee of Lord Krishna. On a fine day, Lord Krishna appears, she is so delighted and smears "ettiri kalabam" (sandal wood paste) on his forehead and immediately due to divine grace, Kubja is redeemed of all her sufferings and problems. The choreography of the vibrant sway of the hands depicts the freedom and liberty towards a better life of peace and happiness, as women form an integral part of the well-being of the society. This number was well enacted and performed by Unnati Ajmera, depicting the plight and sufferings with complete involvement and sincerity. Another intense woman centric theme depicted was the story of Amba who was to get married to prince Shalva but was snatched away by Bheeshma and later she returned but was not accepted. Amba is reborn as Shikhandi and takes revenge against Bheeshma. This powerful dramatic exposition was dealt with intense abhinaya by Dr Dimple Nair, that reminded me of the soul-stirring abhinaya of Dr Kanak Rele. The performance concluded with 'Tatvam', a special research number based on the Sopanam tala patterns inculcated by veteran music composer Kavalam Narayana Panicker, that forms a fine synthesis based on 'tantra' and 'mantra' incorporating the Sri Chakra of the goddess. The dancers received fine orchestral support from Kalamandalam C Gopalakrishnan for conceptualization and direction of the programme, Kalamandalam Gireeshan for the elevating musical rendering, nattuvangam by Dr Ambika Vishwanathan, mridangam by Nandakumar Irinjalakuda, edakka by Kalamandalam Krishna Kumar and violin by Balasubramaniam Sharma. A fine tribute to a great artiste.  Vijay Shankar is a Kuchipudi and Kathakali exponent, teacher, bilingual journalist, arts critic and actor. |
