Aesthetically choreographed
RANJANI GOVIND
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``Dhana Vaibhavam" presented by Saraswathi Gana Nilayam stood out for grace.
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VISUAL PLEASURE: Stories beautifully told. PHOTO: R. SHIVAJI RAO.
Novel concepts and smart packaging have never been more relevant for art. Especially so for dance.
Fashioned with this in mind was Saraswathi Gana Nilayam's "Dhaana Vibhavam" — a thematic dance presentation that conceptualised the best of sacred acts of charity that have a mention in legendary tales — at Vani Mahal this past weekend.
Ranganayaki Jayaraman of the Nilayam had visualised her dance-drama with traditional ragas and choreographed her passionate project. Sixteen of her students gracefully enacted seven items based on the celebrated tales of yore. Lyrics were specially done by H. Vydhianathan for the thoughtfully structured theme.
Tribute
Interesting stories related to Boo-dhaanam (land), Pon-dhaanam (gold), Anna-dhaanam (food), Arasu-dhaanam (power), Go-dhaanam (cow), Deha-dhaanam (body) and Uyir-dhaanam (life) were presented by the students of the dance institution in Triplicane. "This is our tribute to the charity done by greats mentioned in books," said Ranganayaki before flagging off the evening with some colourful starters.
And Ranganayaki's skill in bringing out a garland of traditional styles in dance was seen right from the word go. Pushpanjali was an aesthetic culmination of ghana ragas, pancha talas and five styles of dance. Nattai was portrayed in Bharatanatyam in Chatushra tala, Gowla had gummi dance in Tisram, Aarabhi saw the colourful sticks meet rhythmically in kolattam for a Khanda jati tala, Varali saw the young girls wield the glowing lights in a misra-pace while Sriragam was presented in a mix of all these styles timed in a Sankeerana tala.
And the tales selected also had morals. For instance, Arasu-dhaanam was portrayed through the story of Harischandra, King who gave up power and empire to uphold truth.
Mridangam, tabla, flute, violin, keyboard and accompanying vocals for music and nattuvangam made up for the background score which was an aural treat. While the snatches of conversations between the dancers were tactfully given some soft strains on the flute, music on the keyboard reflected changes in mood even as the adept lighting added to the overall picture.
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