Brings forth the joyous spirit

THE SRI Muthuswami Dikshitar Foundation recently observed the great composer's birthday.

A dance tribute to the musical genius of Dikshitar was offered by the Abhinaya Natyalaya of Krishnakumari Narendran. The programme opened with the kriti ``Gajaananayutham.'' According to Dikshitar's school, the name of the raga of this composition is given as Vegavahini and not as announced (Chakravakam). However, the depiction of the glories of the elephant-faced God was aptly described. Nrithya, a disciple of Krishnakumari Narendran, presented the different compositions in this programme.

What followed was the lively, emotional piece and the very first composition of this composer, ``Sri Naathadi Guru Guho Jayati'' where be sings of the glory of Lord Subrahmanya. Here the composer mentions his Deeksha name - Chidaananda Nathah, after having been blessed by the Lord Himself. Although the dance composition for this brought forth a joyful spirit, it lacked a certain devotional approach which requires a more calm, tranquil approach. Also in ``Sri Nathadi,'' the depiction for ``Maamaka Sahasraara Kamalaaseeno'' was not exact. Similarly the terms ``Mantraadyajapa Hamsadhyan'' and ``Maya Sabalita Brahma Roopo'' were not aptly depicted.

Radha Badri and Girija Ramaswamy sang well but the tempo of the recital from the beginning was quite fast and started increasing as it proceeded, a feature that did not suit the nature of these magnificent compositions. Although the effort deserves credit, the dancer seemed over confident and the dance technique itself was one of popular appeal.

K. T. Sivaganesh and Padmanabhan rendered solid support for the recital, with nattuvangam conducted by Krishnakumari. Vidushi R. Vedavalli lit the kuthuvilakku on this occasion and musician and musicologist Prof. S. R. Janakiraman participated in the function. R. Krishnaswamy presided over.

Gracefully presented

The fourth Swathi Smrthi Festival commenced with a soulful devotional rendering of Maharaja Swati Tirunal's Hindustani bhajans (music score by K. R. Kedaranathan) by Vijayalakshmi Muralidhar accompanied by Neela Jayakumar and K. Sriram. Following this was a striking performance of Mohiniattam by Kalamandalam Saraswati along with a group of her students. The Chol Kattu by four of her disciples was followed by a lively composition of Swati Tirunal ``Kalaye Parvati Natham,'' a beautiful descriptive piece presented gracefully by charming Aswathi, daughter and disciple of Saraswathi.

The highlight of this recital was the varnam of the royal patron, ``Haa Hantha'' in Dhanyasi; the beautiful lyrical content of this number and the fine scope for emotional elaborations found their best through the refined and dignified portrayal of Saraswathi. The artiste exhibited the depth of her inner composure, grip and years of experience through this single number, revealing her innate skill for bhava abhinaya.

Saraswati's handling of the agony of the lady in love for Lord Padmanabha was deep and elaborate, while the depiction of the Vamana Avatara to explain the Divya Moorthi of the Lord Supreme Vishnu was a graceful portrayal with absolute involvement in the nuances of the Bhakti element in this moving narration of Mahabali's vision of the Viswaroopa Darsana of the Lord.

Without much intricate nritta, this piece brought out in the full, the force of the element of abhinaya which is the major sustaining aspect of Mohiniattam. Jagadeesh sang with feeling and understanding, although the audio system was not clear and helpful to listen to the beautiful content of this varnam.

NANDINI RAMANI

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