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Firm grip on tala
AFTER AN invocatory item and a short piece, "Thathai Mozhiyaal," Priya Mohan performing for the Nungambakkam Cultural Academy presented the Shanmukhapriya varnam, "Kola Mayil Vaahanane," composed by Madurai N. Krishnan, in Adi talam. Here, the different deeds of Lord Muruga were narrated — the slaying of the demon Surapadman, and the capture of Valli's heart.
Priya performed the abhinaya in the varnam well. It was difficult to arrive at a more specific conclusion because her mouth tended to fall open at various points both in the nritta and the abhinaya. This made it look as though she were out of breath in the nritta passages, and elsewhere. It interfered with the communicative flow of abhinaya. In fact, in the padam, "Theruvil Vaaraano," a fine sanchari was marred by a distracting movement of the lower jaw.
The costume, reddish maroon with a beige border, was bland. Since it did not have much zari, a padakkam or a resplendent manga malai would have enlivened it. The black-beaded pendant worn instead, was not in harmony with the red adigai and the lighter nethi-chutti.
This student of Sudharani Raghupathy has a firm grip on tala and her nritta was smooth; though she could work more on her araimandi. She was helped by K. S. R. Anirudha who produced an array of sound patterns, on the mridangam, in support of her nritta. Priya Murle confidently handled the nattuvangam, working well with Anirudha. Venkatesan played a sensitive introduction to Khamas on the violin which was followed by Roshini singing "Theruvil Vaaraano" with felicity. Since the words of the text indicate a question left open, and the creative tension of the padam lies in the delicate balance between great anticipation and the unspoken fear of disappointment, Priya should have ended the padam with the nayika waiting for the Lord to acknowledge her, instead of rushing away in disappointment after He ignores her.
The performance, one of the rare ones at this Sabha that began and ended on time, concluded with a tillana in Brindavana Saranga, Adi talam.
TULSI BADRINATH
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