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Sathvikaa Abhinaya
 Sathvikaa Shankar (12), disciple of eminent guru Anita Guha of Bharathanjali, is most certainly one of the brightest
prospects in the Bharathanatyam art form scene. Her recent solo dance performance, under the auspices of
Kartik
Fine Arts, at the Narada Gana Sabha (mini hall), evidenced her rich promise assertively.
This class-7 student of
Padma Seshadri school has all the classic attributes and techniques necessary to warrant this
observation. Just now, she needs more training, experience and exposures. Her guru Anita can be trusted to ensure
this.
Beginning with Pushpanjali and a
Patanjali Sambu Natanam ‘Sadhanchitta’ on
Nataraja, the Lord of Dance, which she
performed with flowering verve and grace, Sathvikaa moved on lithely to perform the
Sabdam ‘Vaayu Maindhane’, a
ragamalika composition by veteran keyboard artiste P R Venkatasubramanian. In this, the artiste depicted, in
impressive fashion, the various exploits of the simian God Hanuman
(son of Vaayu, the Wind God) right from his
infancy. The bid to swallow the rising sun, mistaking it to be a ripe red fruit, and the crossing of the ocean deserve
particular appreciation.
 Sathvikaa has vibrant eyes that convey a wealth of emotions and sentiments (rasas), as also bhava-drenched facial
expressions that enable the audience enjoy better the thematic nuances.
The Dasavatara Varnam
(Swati Thirunal -
Ragamalika) 'Kamalajasya’ was, of course, the piece-de-resistance of the
evening’s recital. All the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu (Matsya-Kurma-Varaha-Narasimha-Vamana-Parasurama-Rama-Balarama-Krishna-Kalki) were graphically presented
with elegance and ease that belied her tender years. The man-lion avatar, and that of the divine dwarf (Vamana), who
metamorphosed into an unimaginable colossus of universal dimensions, deserve special commendation. Sathvikaa’s
immaculate and crisp techniques in all the three areas of dance, subtle identification and impeccable involvement drew
repeated applause from the discerning audience.
 The
Andal Thiruppavai Thirty Paasuram (5) ‘Maayanai Mannu Vada Madhurai
Maindanai’, in ‘Sri’ ragam, and the Seetharama Sharma composed
Thillana were digestive desserts after a sumptuous dinner.
Sathvikaa, properly nourished and encouraged, will make the top grade sooner than presently expected. She has that much potential.
Accompanists were: Guru Anita Guha (nattuvangam and vocal support), Devi Kamakshi (vocal), J Padmanabhan
(mridangam), Muruganandam (violin) and Sankaranarayanan (flute).
R Srinivasan
Published on 13th July 2004
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