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Well-enacted myth
GUDIPOODI SRIHARI
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An interesting dance ballet based on Kalidasa’s play was staged.
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Many a form Dasavataram episode being presented in Odissi style by Jhelum Paranjape and her group.
Mumbai Kuchipudi Kala Kendra staged at Ravindra Bharati last week a ballet titled Megha Sandesam based on the classic Sanskrit work of Mahakavi Kalidasa of the same title. G.M. Sarma, founder of this Kala Kshetra adapted the origin
al and penned a theme that suited the ballet presentation, while Mutnuri Sankara Sastry actually shaped this subject into ballet format with poetic content. However, this production did not stick to any particular Indian dance style, though Kuchipudi played greater part. The choreography introduced other styles of Indian dances to suit the mood and mode of the situation and their intensity. For example, a sequence depicting the cycle of seasons called Rutu Samharam was presented in Mohiniattam and Bharathanatyam styles by Mandakini Trivedi and Vaibhav Arekar belonging to respective styles.
The Dasavataram part went to the share of Odissi danseuse Jhelum Paranjape, as one of Jayadeva Ashtapadis came handy to describe Dasavataras. The Brindavan sequence of Radha-Krishna dance was presented in Manipuri style by Darshana Jhaveri and party. The Siva-Parvati dance applied Kathak style and presented by Bharati and Suneel. The rest of the drama was in Kuchipudi idiom. D.S.V Sastry set the music for the ballet while the choreography was by Guru Pasumarthi Ramalinga Sastry, who also conducted the show with crisp nattuvangam. The ballet, presented in association with the A.P Department of Culture, has a thin story line and enough of visual pleasure in depicting the cultures of ancient India. As part of this study of Indian cultures, dance sequences in other styles were created.
The story in short is about Lord Kubera and his servant Yaksha named Hemamali. The latter fetches flowers daily to Kubera to offer to Lord Siva as part of Kubera’s daily rituals to Lord Siva. The Yaksha, having married a Yakshini named Visalakshi, it so happens that he forgets to carry flowers to Kubera one day. Irate Kubera curses his servant Yaksha to leave the heavens and live on earth (Bhoolokam) for a period of one year. Thus Yakha gets separated from his wife. His wife Visalakshi too is greatly grieved for this separation. Yaksha leaves the heavens with a heavy heart and moves to earth and takes an ‘Ashramam’ on Rama Giri Hills. But thoughts of his wife constantly trouble him. During the rainy season in ‘Ashadha’ the Yaksha notices a thick cloud passing by. He starts pouring out his heart hoping that these clouds will carry his message to his wife, encouraging her to stay fearless and confident, till his return. He starts narrating his travails, converting it into a kind of travelogue, explaining to the Ashada Meghas, composed of many slokas converted into lyrical form giving the route map to reach his wife.
As part of this cultural milieu all forms of dance figured. Jatin Sahu and D.S.V. Sastry gave vocal support. Yamini Resham, Vaikuntha Narayana and others were among the Kuchipudi artistes. The dancers were felicitated by Uma Rama Rao and Sobha Naidu.
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Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
|
