An innovative experiment
T.K. SADASIVAN
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Padma Menon and her students demonstrated `Dhuman,' a new method of training created by her to teach dance.
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NEW STEP: Padma Menon
Art develops with innovation. This is evident in dance where many such innovative experiments are carried out. The `Dhuman' method of training students has been created and popularised by danseuse Padma Menon. Mudra Centre for Dance, established by Padma Menon, presented `Dance Life,' featuring dance recitals by students of Mudra, at Rotary Balabhavan Auditorium, Ernakulam, to celebrate the school's first anniversary.
Padma learned the nuances of Kuchupudi from dance maestro Vembatti Chinnasatayam. But her exposure to other dance forms led her to formulate `Dhuman.' Her urge to explore various methods of dancing culminated in Laban, as she found it most suitable to "express the inner universe" in everyone.
Music of the soul
Shalini S
Music is complementary in `Dhuman' and dancers dance to the music of their soul. A particular kind of costume or anklets are not necessary for dancers in `Dhuman.'
`Dance Life' started with an invocation piece `Ganesha.' Padma began her performance with a Bhajan by Ustad Allaudhin Dagar; the music faded out half way through her dance and the latter half of her performance drew inspiration from the music that had been played earlier.
Dheepu Baburaj
The next piece, `Pooja,' was by the students of `Mudra.' They danced to traditional Kuchupudi music. `Offering' was the next item by the senior students of `Mudra' and they danced to a bhajan by O.S. Arun. `Pathraprevesha' saw the dancers transform themselves into mythological characters. Each dancer interpreted the music in her own style.
`Seeta' by Mridula Murali was a theatrical adaptation. `Swami Ra Ra,' a popular piece in Kuchupudi set to Mohanam Ragam showed Usha in a playful mood. Salini S danced to modern music composed by Avo Part.
A solo by Dheepu Baburaj had him playing Karna. He was the only one who danced to live music. Hari on the edakka supported Deepu well. The last item of the evening was a traditional Kuchupudi dance `Bhamakalapam' by Padma Menon.
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