For the literate and the learned
RANEE KUMAR
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Uma Muralikrishna's Kuchipudi discs make for an interesting watch.
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DANCE LESSONS The twin video CD by Uma Muralikrishna
Chennai-based danseuse Uma Muralikrishna's twin CDs on two distinct strains in the Kuchipudi repertoire sub-titled Soundarya Manjari and Mathurya Murali make for an interesting watch both for the dance literate and the dance learner. But beyond that, they do not drive home the point. Though both the discs open with a pleasant looking Uma delivering a prelude and offsets it with pictures of Lord Krishna (a bronze idol and Thanjavur paintings alternately) and then gives a demo herself, the entire exercise leaves much to be desired. For one, the CD on varied pathra pravesha darus (a unique style of entry of the principal character in Kuchipudi genre) show three heroines of the dance dramas, namelyBhaama (Satyabhama) of Bhamakalapam, Devadevi of Vipranarayana and Rukmini of Rukmini Kalyanam making an entry on stage in the typical Kuchipudi style. Though Uma made it amply clear in her prelude about first person introduction to the character and third person narrative intro, there is no scope in the presentations for `learning' or `studying' the style and the portrayal by any of the junior dancers even if they wish to do so. If the pathra pravesha darus forms Soundarya Manjari, the exposition of tarangams (also a specific part of the Kuchipudi inventory) makes for the aptly named Mathurya Murali since most tarangams are devotionals sung to Lord Krishna. Both the CDs looked more like video version of Uma Muralikrishna's style of performance rather than anything else. The series just ran through each item rather than dwell on the various aspects that go into the pravesha daruvus and the tarangams, with the dancer giving a pause and a brief now and then. The preface to Kuchupudi was haphazard with the artiste omitting vital points and linksArtistes should have a clear vision and focus on what exactly they would like to convey before launching into a CD.Priced at Rs. 150 each the CDs have been produced by Swathi Soft Solutions under the Sanskriti series banner. For further details contact 044-24984050
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