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REVIEW / REPORTAntaranveshanam - the Search Within- Vijay Shankere-mail: vijaydance@gmail.com October 21, 2026 National Centre for Performing Arts presented Bharatanatyam exponent and guru Roja Kannan and her disciples in the thematic presentation 'Antaranveshanam - The Search Within' at the Experimental Theatre on 3rd September in Mumbai. Besides striking and sparkling movements, the profound message of true happiness that lies within with the continuation of the legacy of classical arts for generations, is of particular significance. Guru Adyar K Lakshman was one of the earliest to graduate from Kalakshetra in all fields related to Bharatanatyam and became one of the most sought after gurus of his time with students being attracted to Bharatha Choodamani, his academy of dance and music. His compositions are valuable additions to the Bharatanatyam margam. Select compositions of Guru Adyar Lakshman was presented by Roja Kannan and her disciples Nivedha Harish and Vaishnavi Srinivasan. The first number was the Stuthi Pancharatnam incorporating five main gods of the Hindu pantheon - Ganesha, Subramanya, Shiva, Durga and Mahavishnu - seamlessly blending with crisp jathis between the compositions, performed by Nivedha and Vaishnavi with vibrancy and precision, creating a fine start to the performance.  Roja Kannan The central number performed by Roja Kannan was the Padavarnam of Subbarama Dikshitar in Kamas ragam set to rupaka talam incorporating Lord Thyagarajaswamy of Tiruvarur in which the heroine wonders as to why she is being ignored and elaborates on the Vasanta Utsavam when the Lord is taken on a chariot, as she eagerly waits to get a glimpse of him. Furthermore, she is smitten by Kamadeva's arrows and waits anxiously to be united with the Lord. This 40 minute performance takes the audience on a journey to various levels of love and devotion, performed with expressional intensity by the devoted dancer. On the whole, to watch Guru Roja Kannan and her talented disciples dancing with effortless ease, was sheer pleasure of high order. The second half of the evening was a complete contrast as about 34 dancers assembled on the stage, led by Bharatanatyam mentor and exponent, Guru Kashmira Trivedi with the interesting theme of Pancha Bhutas, exposition of the essential elements of life like air, water, fire and other elements. The presentation was distributed in five distinct classical dance styles of Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam, Kuchipudi, Kathak and Odissi performed by Kashmira Trivedi and group, Saji Menon and group, Meghana Arun and group, Keka Sinha and group, Nivedita Mukherjee and group respectively. This was initially performed for the annual Upavan festival in Thane in order to integrate different classical dance styles. To enhance group participation interpreting the basic philosophy of reaching out to the Supreme is common to all the classical dance styles. In the merging of different classical styles with varied technique and style of presentation, the most thrilling aspect was the enhancement of group presentations where every performer seeks divine intervention.  Vijay Shankar is a Kuchipudi and Kathakali exponent, teacher, bilingual journalist, arts critic and actor. |
