Shobana Bhalchandra's Tyaga Rasa
Saint Tyagaraja's kritis are regarded as the cornerstone of Carnatic music. Tyagaraja composed innumerable kritis that explored all the possibilities within the rules of the Carnatic music tradition.
His life and kritis represent the heritage of Indian culture expressed in classical Carnatic music.
His contributions are devotional, religious and philosophical.
They are inspired by the depths of a saintly soul invigorated and sustained by unshakable faith in Lord Rama.
His kritis are also pure and rich in feelings and moods, with a lyrical appeal and brilliance that add another dimension to Tyagaraja's genius of poetry, music and his saintliness.
'Tyaga Rasa' is an attempt by Shobana Bhalchandra to explore this genius of Tyagaraja and portray the Nava Rasa in his kritis in their subtle and varying shades. In the kritis chosen by Shobana for this presentation, one can see the musical forte of the sangatis coming into full play, serving to underline and accentuate the variation of moods.
The kritis chosen for the evening were:
'Dorakuna Ittuvanti Seva' in Adbhuta Rasa (Ragam Bilahari, Aadi Talam),
'Etula Brotuvo' in Bibhatsa Rasa (Ragam Chakravagam, Misrachapu Talam),
'Ramabhiraama Ramaniiya Naama' in Shringara Rasa (Ragam Darbar, Misrachapu Talam),
'Eduta Nilachite' in Raudra Rasa (Ragam Sankarabaranam, Aadi Talam),
'Sita Nayaka' in Haasya Rasa (Ragam Reetigowla, Misrachapu Talam),
'Unnadavuna' in Bhayaanaka Rasa (Ragam Ghanta, Misrachapu Talam),
'Sarasara Samaraika' in Veera Rasa (Ragam Kuntalavarali, Aadi Talam),
'Enduku Dayarathura' in Karuna Rasa (Ragam Todi, Misrachapu Talam) and
'Santamu Leka' in Shanta Rasa (Ragam Saama, Aadi Talam).
Shobana Bhalchandra, the youngest of the Trio Sisters of Chennai, is an accomplished professional artiste and instructor in Bharatanatyam. She and her sisters were the first and senior most disciples of the Dhananjayans. Shobana has also undergone extensive training under Kalanidhi Narayanan, especially focusing on the evocative nuances of Bharatanatyam dealing with
abhinaya.
One of the well-established artistes in this field today, Shobana is part of a small group of contemporaneous peers so recognised. She has wide range teaching and performing experience in this field. She has established her own dance institution, which operates out of Chennai and Coimbatore, having over 100 students.
An accomplished performer and choreographer, Shobana has given stage performances to enthusiastic response and acclaim at several prestigious forums in India and abroad. Some of these were under the aegis of the Indian Council of Cultural Research, representing India as official cultural ambassador. She has conceived and choreographed several traditional, neo-classical and innovative dance pieces and repertoires.
R Rangaraj
