| Report
Uma Leela
Text &
pics: Pandithar Sivakumar Perumal, Pune
e-mail: spandithar@yahoo.com
November 21,
2006
It was a rainy evening on Thursday September
14th as I made my way towards Pune's Tilak Smarak Mandir to see dance drama
Uma Leela. It was heartening to see a good attendance, despite the weather.
Bharatanatyam
dancer Sayali Khare has conceptualized and choreographed Uma Leela. Sayali
ably portrayed the character of Uma. Anuj Mishra as lord Shiva was at his
classical best. He swirled and danced straight into our hearts. Anuj was
really one of the most energetic Shivas I have witnessed.
The tandava of
Shiva naturally brings out the best in a dancer, and Anuj was a perfect
example of this. His tandava was of striking beauty and he dazzled every
one in orange. As
Uma and Shiva, Sayali and Anuj danced into a magnificently synchronized
duet. Layabadh nritya by the duo was a remarkable coming together of the
two forms of Bharatanatyam and Kathak. The uniqueness of Uma Leela was
the blending of these two distinct forms.
The change in
the backdrop and the consequent change in the music was another remarkable
feature of Uma Leela. It gave ample opportunity to portray the minute detailed
working of the artists’ imagination. The flow of the story was smooth,
the dance steps were crisp. Uma Leela showcased the artistry of the dancers;
each artiste bloomed in the solo; together they were strikingly beautiful.
The supporting
cast and those working behind the scenes of this dance drama made the group
an enormously talented team of artists. Uma Leela ended with another beautiful
synchronized item by the artists.
Sivakumar
has a passion for the arts and is a freelance writer. He is a collector
of dance related news clippings.
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