The couplets in a ballet
RUPA SRIKANTH
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Three young Sri Lankans, disciples of the Dhananjayans will present Tirukkural on June 11 and 12. A curtain-raiser.
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Poetry visualised: Dhananjayan guiding his disciples. PHOTO: K. V. SRINIVASAN.
Introducing the Pathmarajah Sisters from North America, Kavitha, Meera and Anjana, who are in town to present `Thiruk-Kural Bharatam,' a visual representation of saint-poet Tiruvalluvar's couplets.
Having grown up on a diet of moral lessons from the Tirukkural and the Bhagavad Gita, the Sri Lankans have embarked on an ambitious project of propagating the universal wisdom in ancient Tamil literature through dance.
In addition to this lofty ideal is their intention to donate the proceeds of their performances to children's charities.
From the mythology
While the production choreographed by their gurus, Shanta and V. P. Dhananjayan, keeps within the contours of classicism, clear explanations, the creation of a narrator alongside anecdotes from Hindu mythology and the characterisations of Jesus Christ and Mother Teresa, make for clarity. There is also an element of theatrics in the shadow play and the use of movement and body language that deepen the experience.
The extensive research of the text was undertaken by Tamil scholar, Prof. Dr. S. Raghuraman, and that of the costumes and jewellery by the gurus.
Music
The musical aspect forms another vital component of the production, with an audio release planned that evening. The musical score was composed by Prof. D. Pasupathi with extensive South Indian instrumentation.
The vocalists are Prof. Pasupathi, Sashidharan and Preethi Mahesh. Shanta Dhananjayan wields the cymbals.
The 2000-year-old work eulogising ethical values has taken a couple of years' effort by experts, some of whom (Dr. Raghuraman and Prof. Pasupathi) are being honoured by the Bhaaskara Art and Education Trust.
The performances are scheduled on June 11 and 12 at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and donor tickets of Rs. 100 are available at Bharatakalanjali, 6, Jeevaratnam Nagar, Adyar, Chennai-20 (Ph. 2491 1125/2490 0339).
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