Admirable rendition
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Both the music and dance performance regaled the audience
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PHOTO: C.H.VIJAYA BHASKAR
REFINED Vyjayanti Kashi's presentation was impressive
The seasoned singer-duo P. Rama and R. Chandrika regaled the audience at Sri Vani Vidya Kendra, Rajajinagar, with their performance at the 35th Sri Shankara Jayanthi Sangeetotsava held under the aegis of Sri Thyagaraja Gana Sabha Trust and Sri Mookambika Talavadya Sangeetha Kala Shaale. Their sturdy vocalism merited recognition. That the duo is a competent one and has accomplished successes through their performances was once again evident. Endowed with rich and matching voices they have acquired admirable skills of duet-singing. It is but natural that they have evolved their own style. They went on to perform undaunted by the frequent power failures and other disturbances. The very opening of the concert with a "Haribhaktasaara" varna set to Andholika raga. The concert had a formidable foundation with the above varna rendered in two kalas. The chittaiswaras and the kalpanaswaras for "Sri Maha Ganapathe Surapathe" (Nata) was enjoyable. Raga Mayamalavagowla was handled with artistry for "Deva Deva". This was further beautified by neraval at "Shantha roopa" and swaras. Rama's powerful open voice and Chandrika's aesthetic and artistic singing highlighted the beauty of Carnatic idiom and style and also measured up to the requirements of their presentation. Raga Madhyamavathi was delineated with all its niceties. "Sri Chakraraja" in a rare Shivashakthi raga moved the audience. Dr. Natarajamurthy (violin), M.A. Krishnamurthy (mridanga) and Narayanamurthy (ghata) excelled as accompanists.
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The elaborate narrative treatment was in lieu of the traditional Kuchipudi natya items. The jathi passages were excellently rendered. The mimetic sequences portraying the tales of Gandhari (the mother of Kauravas) and Draupadi of Mahabharatha glowed with refined histrionics. It was Vyjayanthi Kashi at the helm of affairs at Ravindra Kalakshetra in her performance entitled Sthabdha (silence). Her students from Sri Shambhavi Nrithyashaale did remarkably well in unfolding the story. The programme held in connection with the World Dance Day celebrations was a grand success.
Vyjayanthi seems to be fond of women's themes. This particular piece brought out the inner voice of Draupadi and Gandhari. Vyjayanthi's performance had a powerful dance presentation with good lyrics, effective music and an impressive choreography. The vocabulary of Kuchipudi natya was vibrantly used. She played the roles of Draupadi and Gandhari and practically stole the show. The nritta and nrithya balance was well taken care of. The vachika abhinaya was kept intact. Prateeksha Kashi, Devika, Hitaishi, Kavya and Shaila were the other dancers who gave a creditable account of themselves. The recorded music was handled aptly.
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A talented exponent of Mohiniattam Gopika Varma led her troupe meticulously to render an excerpt from the famous "Kuchelopakhyana" by Swati Tirunal in the most graceful dance style. The solkattu (ekaangahaara nritta) was a class by itself. The short recital concluded with "Jeevam" highlighting the peculiar features of Mohiniattam.
M. SURYA PRASAD
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