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 Java to Jawali: Old classics, new interpretations- Anuradha Gopalakrishnane-mail: radhaandme@gmail.com Photos: Prakash Gopan April 5, 2026 As a dancer and Rasika, I am always fascinated when a choreographer steps out of the traditional repertoire to experiment with new ideas. While the allure of tradition is undeniable, new experiments can be exciting and refreshing. One such experiment that I witnessed on March 22, 2026 at Cupertino, CA, was 'Java to Jawali', a unique theatrical presentation by Aishwarya Venkat and Janani Narayanan that blends storytelling, classical dance, and music with a strong vein of humor.  Aishwarya Venkat and Janani Narayanan Java to Jawali is a lighthearted play in which two friends Thangamani and Rangamani vent about their everyday hassles. To the novice dancer or uninitiated, the play offers lively and laugh-out-loud entertainment as the friends shoot the breeze about their workaholic husbands, possessive mothers-in-law, doom-scrolling daughters, and so on. The script flows seamlessly across everyday concerns, making it relatable to every person in the audience. The play's non-stop humor comes from Janani and Aishwarya's spot-on expressions, their witty dialogues, and quick repartees. The seasoned dancer, however, may enjoy multiple layers of entertainment. What seems like a lighthearted rant between two middle-aged women is in fact an impressive reinterpretation of a set of twelve carefully curated Jawalis and Padams. Jawalis are timeless songs that lend themselves well to portraying contemporary tropes such as relationships with in-laws, busy lifestyles, the generation gap between parents and children, and social media addictions. Brought to life by the evocative voice of Asha Ramesh and support from Vikram Raghukumar, one can feel the rich emotions in the sahitya. The structure of the play brings out the potential of these classical songs. The artistes begin by rendering a couple of Jawalis, choreographed in the conventional sense. From the third piece onward, Janani and Aishwarya reimagine other Jawalis and Padams such as Smarasundaraṅguni by Dharmapuri Subbaraaya Aiyyar and Appudu Manasu by Patnam Subramanya Aiyer in a contemporary context. The juxtaposition of the conventional and modern interpretations highlights the enduring relevance of the Jawalis and Padams.  Aishwarya Venkat and Janani Narayanan Take, for example, the Kshetrayya Padam Choodare in Sahana, where jealousy is the Sthayi Bhava. In the original composition, the Nayika and her friend are jealous of a woman who is so consumed by her love for Krishna that she disregards social norms. In this production, however, Janani and Aishwarya reinterpret the piece in the present-day setting: Thangamani and Rangamani are jealous of the new dancer in town, who seems to manage it all adeptly. She is a successful performer, a devoted super mom, and a dance influencer with thousands of Instagram followers. As Asha's soulful rendering rang through the room, the jealousy was almost palpable to the audience. Through these fresh choreographies, one cannot but appreciate the brilliance of the Jawalis. Jawalis explore basic human emotions like love, sadness, jealousy, and so on. The Sadharanikarana, as the Natya Shastra calls it, or the universality of these emotions allows these songs to transcend time and make them relevant and relatable even today. The emotional resonance of this presentation stems from the inherent depth of sahitya in the Jawalis. Aishwarya's tightly written script skillfully blends these universal emotions with comedy, and the result is one hour of fun and laughter. The performance had several other strengths too. Asha Ramesh's mellifluous voice carried the emotion-laden lyrics throughout the show, enhancing the aesthetic experience of the audience. Janani and Aishwarya's accurate depictions of every character etched the scenes in our minds. My favorite was when Janani and Aishwarya described how their teenage, Gen-Z children behaved while playing video games, while taking selfies, or even simply walking. I also felt the small space made the experience more personal and immediate. I wonder if the audience's experience would have been the same if the artistes had chosen a large auditorium for this kind of show. Overall, my experience with Java to Jawali was one filled with laughter and fun. But I left with a renewed sense of awe for the richness of the Jawali genre and appreciation for Janani and Aishwarya for this brave attempt! If you enjoy a lively mix of theatre, classical dance, and music with a touch of humor, you'll really enjoy Java to Jawali.  Anuradha Gopalakrishnan is a Bharatanatyam and Nattuvangam professional, and a freelance writer. Anuradha is also a language educator and researcher with a doctoral degree in second language education. By combining her expertise in writing and performing arts, she shares her perspectives on artistic endeavors through reviews and reflective commentary. |
