 Kaviya Tamizh
Noted Bharatanatyam danseuse Srinidhi Chidambaram presents Kaviya Tamizh, a special Bharatanatyam performance for the Kartik Fine Arts at Sadhguru Gnanananda Hall on TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai, on December 12, 2005.
'Kaviya Tamizh' is a presentation of classical and contemporary Tamil poems in the structure and format of a traditional Bharatanatyam performance.
1. Pushpanjali and Alarippu
The Pushpanjali is the typical opening piece in a Bharatanatyam concert where flowers are offered in prayer to the Almighty. This is followed by a verse of Avvaiyar addressed to Lord Ganesha, followed by an Alarippu. The Alarippu is a typical invocation in Bharatanatyam literally meaning -'to flower' - and is filled with simple and geometric movements performed to the rhythmic cycle of Chatusra or 4 beats. A rendering of Thiruppugazh forms a background for the syllables of the Alarippu.
Ragamalika: Tala - Adi & Chatusra Nadai (Alarippu) Verse - Avvaiyar & Arunagirinathar (Thiruppugazh)
2. Varnam:
The Varnam is the most elaborate and complex piece in a Bharatanatyarr recital where both the rhythmic and emotive aspects of the dance enjoy equal emphasis.
A poem of Mahakavi Subramanya Bharati from the famous Kannan pattu has been choreographed into a Varnam. The central character in this poem is a woman in love with Krishna. However, unlike the submissive and meek prototypes of heroines seen in literature this woman is confident, outspoken, and values self-respect above all else. Sentimental and emotional, she, however, does not believe in being taken for granted. Since the Varnam will have detailed elaboration of each line of the lyric, the translation is given below --
'Kannan mananilayai thangame thangam kandu varavenumadi' -- My friend - do go and ask Krishna what he feels about me: it has been so long since we met and I must know what is on his mind.
'Ennam uraithuvidil thangame thangam edenilum seivamadi' -- Once I know what he feels, at least the agony of waiting and hoping will end. Even if he rejects me, I will continue my life in my own way - don't think I will just collapse and crumble.
'Sonna mozhi thavarum mannavanukke endrum thozhamai illaiyadi' Anyway, a liar and crook like Krishna cannot be endured for long by any woman. He promised to meet me so many times and has never shown up - leaving me to languish all alone!
'Enna pizhaikal ingu kandirukkiraan avai yavum thelivu pera kettu vidadi' -- And do ask him what exactly he found lacking in me? Is it that I am not beautiful? Did I not put him before every thing else and shower him with love and affection?
'Maiyal koduthu vittu.....' Having stolen my heart - he has just disappeared- 0 friend- I ought to have listened to my elders who warned me that he is the embodiment of deception.
'Soramizhaithidaiya pengaludane .......' -- Tell him that all his crude dalliances and flirting with the cowherd girls would never be tolerated by a woman like me - born in the warrior class that tolerates no nonsense.
'Neramuzhuvadilum ........' -- Despite all this, my foolish heart will still not let go - Everything reminds me of him - I pine for him. Go my friend- find out and tell me the truth - I must know and get on with my life.
Ragamalika: Talam - Adi Verse - Mahakavi Subramanya Bharati; Music - Guru Swamimalai S K Rajaratnam.
3. Yashodara:
This is a contemporary poem by Vairamuthu that describes the transformation of Prince Siddhartha into the Buddha from a very unusual angle - from the viewpoint of Siddhartha's young wife - Yashodara. Prince Siddhartha renounces the world one night and bids farewell to his wife and son. While the flags of his palace seem to call him back, he resolutely walks away - towards the beckoning leaves of the Bodhi tree.
Meanwhile Yashodara wakes up and finds her husband missing. Shattered by his desertion, she laments.... '0 prince- what have you renounced? You have given up this kingdom - but what you are getting instead is the whole world falling at your feet. You gave up your crown but you are getting an eternal halo around your head. When you get back more than what you give up - is that called renunciation? Look at me and consider the lonely empty life that lies ahead for me you are alive but I am widowed - I live in a palace but I cannot enjoy its luxuries anymore. You are not the one who has renounced - it is "dear prince - it is I , the cursed Yashodara who has truly renounced the world - cruelly and forcibly.
Ragamalika: Talam - Adi; Verse - Vairamuthu, Music - Swamimalai Suresh.
4. 'Malai pozhudinile'
This is a poem of Kalki - the story of a young girl who meets a handsome young man at a flower-filled garden. She falls in love with him, but with maidenly shyness and propriety turns him away. The man reveals himself to her as Muruga but that only makes her more apprehensive that her love towards a divine being would never be fulfilled. As he tries to woo her with his charms, he reaches out to touch her. As she pushes him away - she awakens, only to find that it was all only a beautiful dream. Disappointed at the abrupt end to her dream, she goes back to sleep, determined to dream on about her tryst with
Muruga.
Ragamalika: Talam - Tisranadai Verse - Kalki
5. 'Magalai engum ....'
This is a lighthearted poem where a vexed mother discovers that her impressionable young daughter has eloped with Krishna.
She wonders about the treatment likely to be meted out to her daughter by her in-laws and even wonders how her daughter's soft hands would cope with the constant churning of curds at Krishna's house. She also comments that it would be a blessing indeed even if Krishna actually married her instead of just having his wicked way with her and abandoning her as was his usual practice.
Ragamalika: Tala - Adi; Verse - Periyalwar; Music: Radha
Badri.
6. Thillana:
The Thillana, the concluding number, is a joyous and fast piece with focus on rhythm and movement. Set in 4 ragas, this is interwoven with verses from a lilting Vaishnavite poem where the glories of Rama and Krishna are sung. This song is associated with maidens whirling around, playing at the swing and singing the refrain "Paadi para" which literally means 'sing and soar in ecstasy".
Ragamalika: Talam - Adi; Verse - Periyalwar; Music - K Rajasekharan.
R Rangaraj |
