Shivaratri Mahotsavam at Sri Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur

- Padma Jayaraj
e-mail: padmajayaraj@gmail.com

February 17, 2026

Shivaratri Mahotsavam is an annual cultural highlight in Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala, sponsored by Paramekkavu Devaswom. In earlier times, the festival stage was illuminated by reputed classical artistes, when tradition held a central place in public taste. As times change, so do preferences; yet, occasionally, one encounters performances that rekindle memories of that earlier grace.

This year was one such occasion. On the eve of 10th February, the audience was treated to a delightful recital by young Bharatanatyam dancer Bhadra Sharma who presented choreographies of her guru. As the younger performers left the stage and the evening settled into a quieter mood, the recital unfolded like a rediscovered dream for many among the older rasikas.

The performance began with a Ganesha Vandana - "Sri Vigna Rajam Bhaje", composed by Oothukkadu Venkata Subbaiyer in ragam Gambheera Nattai and khanda chapu talam. With poise and devotion, the invocation set a serene tone, as though Lord Vigneswara himself had chosen to preside over the evening.

This was followed by the resonant Madurai Chokkanathar Kauthuvam, in praise of Lord Shiva and Goddess Meenakshi, the presiding deities of Madurai. Through graceful storytelling, the piece evoked the devotion of the Pandya king who is believed to have ruled his land guided by the divine will of the goddess. The adaptation was deeply evocative and flowed with a calm dignity, gladdening the hearts of an audience that still cherishes classical tradition. The rhythmic rendering moved like a chant - almost like a mantra - carrying the fragrance of time honoured glory. Innumerable dancers over the ages have immortalized this composition, and it continues to inspire both performers and lovers of Bharatanatyam even today.

The central piece of the recital was the varnam "Sakhiye....inda jaalam enedi" in ragam Shankarabharanam and talam adi, composed by K.N. Dandayudhapani Pillai, again a choreography of her guru. Here, the nayika confides in her sakhi, urging her to bring her reluctant beloved to her, as she longs for a life of emotional fulfillment. The sakhi, aware of the futility of the pursuit, understands the quiet tragedy beneath the yearning. The portrayal captured the timeless theme of longing, patience, and the silent suffering of unfulfilled love that has echoed through generations.

In the second charana swara sahitya of the varnam, the choreographic surprise was a sanchari - an elaboration of "Choodi koduthavale" - narrating the story of the child-saint Andal. In her innocence, the little girl would adorn herself with the floral garlands meant for the deity, imagining herself as the divine. One day, her father, a temple priest, discovered a strand of hair among the flowers and forbade her from offering them. When he began preparing the garlands himself, they mysteriously refused to stay intact. The divine, it seemed, preferred the innocence of the child to ritualistic correctness. The episode gently reminds us that divine grace often transcends human logic and discipline. The sanchari passages in this segment were particularly moving and left a lasting impression.

The recital concluded with a lively Kavadi Chindu, a traditional folk-based item that many veteran dancers use to end their Bharatanatyam performances. It has always been a favourite for its uplifting simplicity, and on this night too, its rhythms lingered long after the performance ended, leaving the spirit calm and content.

Bhadra Sharma, a disciple of the renowned Bharatanatyam artiste and acharya Rajashree Warrier, hails from Kalady, the birthplace of Sri Sankaracharya. Professionally an Associate Professor in Psychology, she pursues dance as a deeply personal and soul-stirring passion. Under the guidance of her guru, who enjoys great respect and recognition in the field of Bharatanatyam, Bhadra continues to grow as a graceful and expressive performer.

Padma Jayaraj is a freelance writer on the arts.