Translating psalms into mudras
SELINE AUGUSTINE
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Kalairani Natya Saalai from the U.S. presented Christian themes in Bharatanatyam.
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Photo: S. Thanthoni.
HARMONY: In praise of Jesus.
`Yesuvae Saranam' was a Bharatanatyam recital where the theme was exclusively Christian and staged in the city last week. It is all the more remarkable that all the 12 dance numbers of the programme centred on Jesus as Lord and were traditional to the core by a troupe from Maryland, U.S. On a four-recital tour of Tamil Nadu, the six young dancers from Kalairani Natya Saalai, Adelphi, Maryland — Shirani, Rashi, J.Lalitha, Nesarany, Davina and Anitha — could not have been any more Tamil than our local dancers and desi in their conventional dance costume.
Rani David, director and choreographer established KNS in 1984, a non-profit Indian dance school in collaboration with Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission. She believes in embedding thematic concepts in their programmes. Two anjalis in one margam — Alapanai saiguvaen yesuvai and Yen Aathumavae Kartharai Sthothari (Psalm 103: Bless the Lord oh my soul) — kickstarted the programme at WCC last week with all the six dancers taking the stage. A prayer, "I will worship you in song, music and dance steps" sung in Lathangi raga by Jollee Abraham was the opening movement. `Kristhu Kautuvam' was a traditional piece, but it depicted Jesus's life with special reference to the miracle at Canaa, where Christ turned water into wine. . "I have no right to alter the art (Bharatanatyam) or the Bible, but artistic licence allows for interpretation. And I have adapted the art form to Christian themes without compromising on the purity, sanctity and rasa," says Rani.
Rashi with her pleasing expression and Shirani with precise and crisp footwork delighted the college student audience at WCC with their rendition of the familiar keerthanai, Kangalai Yereduppaen, where drishtibedha, the eight-eye movements specified in Natyasashtra, was incorporated in a Christian sentiment, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help."
Very imaginatively done was Dasaniyamaha - Ten Rules - stories from the Old and New Testament showing the cause and effect of adherence to the Ten Commandments.
Tillana, praising God, was exuberant as also the concluding Vande Mataram - Hail to my motherland. It identifies a peaceful Yesu Bharatam and was presented in a novel format incorporating three styles: Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattom and Bharatanatyam, in a rousing finale.
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