|
Special Programme on Sangam Classic
 Eminent dancer Niveditha Parthasarathy and her ‘Nivedanam’ disciples Rekha Danasekhar, Divya Sridharan, S. Nithya and N. Shalini presented a thematic dance recital on the 2000-year old Sangam classic ‘Kurunthohai’ at the Tamil Nadu Government Music
College, Chennai, earlier this month.
The ‘special’ programme, jointly organised by the College and the Art & Culture Commisionerate Development of the Tamil Nadu Government, was presented at the Tagore auditorium in the College campus.
The ‘Kurunthohai’ is one of six ‘subjective’ collections and is a ‘short anthology’ (as the name implies) comprising 400 blank verses (4 to 8 lines each), for ten of which authors are not authentically known, the rest being ascribed among 205 poets. This classic anthology is in the conventional mode for love themes (sringara- erotica) and is noted for its elegant and simple style sans extravagance. The ‘nature’ scenes are remarkable for accurate and uninhibited descriptions born of deep appreciation, subtle imagery and idealistic non-personal treatment of the theme with varied nuances.
Last year, Niveditha presented another Sangam classic ‘Kali-T-Thohai’ (150 dramatic odes in ‘Kali’ metre) in pleasing style. Hence, this year also she has been invited to present ‘Kurunthohai’ with her troupe, well deserved recognition indeed.
Niveditha chose ten verses from this ancient work for her presentation highlighting, delectably, domestic and connubial felicity. Beginning with the Perundevanaar (of Bhaaratam fame) invocation in Kavuthuvam style, Niveditha was able to impress the audience favourably with her mode of depiction through her well-trained disciples. The dancers displayed appreciable potential and promise.
The delicate amoral scenes of the lovelorn couple were portrayed by Niveditha in dignified form without offending the sensibilities of the enlightened audience comprising, inter alia, Commissioner R Kasinathan, Deputy Director
V Jayapal, Music College Principal S Rajeswari and other cognoscente
Kunnakkudi
Vaidyanathan, Member-Secretary, Iyal, Isai, Nataka Mandram, and
Dr P B Srinivas, eminent senior musician and playback singer, President of the
Mandram.
Niveditha followed the ‘Margam’ format strictly and carefully. Descriptions of the heroine were made with the support of well-chosen melodies – Naattai, Hamsanandhi, Vasantha, Mohanam, Subhapantuvarali, Sahana, Hindolam (Thillana) , Ananda Bhairavi, Kaavadicchindhu and Bowli. She took the lead commendably sparing the younger girls where sringara overtures had to be stressed.
The overall presentation deserves warm commendation specially because the theme chosen is not too popular among the dancing fraternity. It may be mentioned in passing, danseuse
Alarmel Valli is an admirable sole presenter of Sangam classic themes.
Niveditha (choreography), Sivakami Narayanan (violin & tunes), selection of verses and descriptions by
L Padmini, commentary by Prof. Balachandran, M Swaminathan’s competent Nattuvangam, music by Padmini Venketesan, Mridangam by Srirangam Varadharajan, and flute by Devarajan enhanced the intrinsic merits of the programme delightfully.
R.Srinivasan
18 A , IV Main Road,
R.A.Puram,
Chennai 600 028.
Phone 24355576
E-Mail to: Annie_thomaz@yahoo.co.in
Published on 24th March, 2004
More
Articles
|
