Vibrant and graceful

THE MAGIC of Mohiniyattom was brought alive by Methil Devika Rajagopalan at her recital for the Swathismrithi festival of the Madras Malayali Club recently. Mohiniyattom is the dance of the enchantress and the dancer did enchant.

Methil Devika began her performance with the Dikshithar Keerthanam ``Ganapathe Mahamathe'' in the raga Kalyani and started the free flow of movements presented in all their softness, precision and grandeur adding a somberly meditative quality to her dance. The episode of Muruga and Ganesha contesting for the mango fruit from their parents and the wisdom of Ganesha was brought out with clarity and emotion.

The Swathi Thirunal varnam, ``Aahnda vanchita aham'', in the raga Dhanyasi showed the Viprlabda Nayika in all her moods. In the anupallavi, Methil Devika depicted the Gitopadesa. The Veera rasa of Arjuna before and after the Lord's sermon, and his hesitation on the war front, the Viswarupa were all portrayed very clearly and strikingly and full of bhava. The heroine laments that she has been cheated and has none to lean on. Krishna who gave such moral support to the likes of Arjuna has forgotten me. In the charanam, Irsha, the sentiment of jealousy was vividly brought out when the heroine wonders who the clever woman could be whose company her lord seems to enjoy so much. This portion was rhythmical, seductive and endowed with grace.

The short performance finished with the Swathi Thirunal Mangalam, ``Bhujaga Shayine.'' A lilting finale to a very satisfying performance.

The rhythmical sway of Devika's Mohiniyattom was a subtle reminder of the graceful and rolling landscape of Kerala. The deep bends and the circular and semi-circular movements that Mohiniyattom is so well- known for, were etched with clarity by Devika. What adds to her expressive face are the uncluttered hand gestures and the suitable stances that flow gracefully. There is an innate artistry and humility in her dance.

Methil Devika Rajagopalan's Mohiniyattom has the stamp of the Kalyanikuttiamma school. There is an added luster of Kathakali's vibrancy. This vibrancy added to the graceful, sensuous, aesthetic movements of the dance is a treat to the eyes. The contrasting emotions that Devika showed were eloquent enough to demonstrate her virtuosity in Abhinaya.

The stage at the Malayali Club's premises in Chetpet had been made up with palm leaves and a row of Kerala lamps in the front with electric bulbs glittering in them. The height of the stage alienates the dancer from the audience. Methil Devika had to strive to come closer to the audience and it takes that much more effort on the part of the dancer. The musicians who had come came all the way from Thiruvananthapuram added grace to the performance. Nattuvangam and Maddalam were by Gnaneswaran, vocal by Ramu, mridangam by Jaisankar, violin by Sreekumar and edakka by Kalamandalam Anand.

V. R. DEVIKA

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