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The Dhananjayans delved into their vast experience and sense of aesthetics to present an enthralling Bharatnatyam performance.
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In step: Shanta and Dhananjayan were in perfect harmony in all their dance numbers.
A Bharatnatyam recital by Dhananjayan and Shanta Dhananjayan enthralled dance enthusiasts in Thrissur. Their recital began with ‘Ganesh Vandhana’ in raga Nata as the various attributes of Ganesha were reverently portrayed by the senior artistes. The lively Jatiswaram in Hindolam by disciples Gopu Kiran and Divya Sivasundar perked up the performance.
In direct contrast, the Ashtapadi was performed as a slow piece. The Dashavatara was enacted to the famous ‘Pralaya Payodhi Jaley’ in ragamalika as the Dhananjayans took on the roles of the worshipper and the worshipped alternatively. The piece had the couple dancing in harmony.
On the elements
Then Gopu and Divya presented Maharajapuram Santhanam’s composition in raga Revathi, ‘Bho Shambho.’ The five elements constitute the body and the Shiva Tatva is the life force within. The dancers bowed down to this formless and omnipresent power.
The solo performance by Dhananjayan, set to the Tyagaraja kirtanam in raga Abheri, ‘Nagumomo,’ was the highlight of the evening as the veteran explored the meaning behind the plaintive lyrics which says, ‘O Lord! I crave not for riches or fame. Show me your smiling face if only for a moment.’ The dancer relied heavily on Bhavabhinaya rather than footwork for this item. His expressive face conveyed the emotions of the devotee.
Dhananjayan
Graceful depiction
Shantha gracefully depicted the lovelorn nayika in the Shudhananda Bharati composition in raga Kamboji. In this dance piece, she thanks the cuckoo for heralding the arrival of her beloved Murugan and readies her home for his arrival.
The nritha anga hara or tillana, set to Natabhairavi, brought the recital to a close.
Dhananjayan joined his disciples towards the latter half of the dance where there is a description of Kalakshetra and a tribute to his guru, Rukmani Devi.
Vocal support was provided by Sai Shankar. Vinodkumar and Sunilkumar played the violin and the flute respectively, while Ramesh Babu accompanied on the mrindangam.
The dance recital by these senior artistes was a fitting tribute to veteran Kathakali actor Kalamandalam Gopi, who was awarded the Kathakali State award by the Kerala State Government. The veteran himself donned the role of Nala in a Kathakali performance that followed.
JNP
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Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
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