Abhinaya in right ambience

IF YOU are looking for that quiet evening when you are ready to explore the interiors of the soul and interact with music and dance, then Sundar Mahal, Gopalapuram, is the place to be on February 23 between 6.30 and 8.00 p.m. For on that evening Lakshmi Viswanathan, through her abhinaya, will provide lovers of aesthetics an experience that does not happen often. Just as mellow as an evening of old-world charm where interaction and understanding is the focus, Lakshmi seeks to perform abhinaya through the use of the language of gestures, movement and facial expressions. In the process of this exploration the traditional song will complement the dance at first and then by the written word in a lyrical interpretation of the translations of A. K. Ramanujam of the Lingayat poets of the 11th and 12th Centuries. The words of the translations will receive added impetus with its reading by Kiran Rao. These translations are dedicated to Lord Siva in a unique expression of devotion - Siva is not depicted as the ususal Tandav- performing God. Neither is his physical appearance going to be elaborated - his leopard skin, the ashes on his forehead, the snakes around the neck - as in conventional dance recitals. Here the Lord is the bhakta's succour - the focus is on the devotee and his relationship with the supreme being - esoteric yet simple.

Adding lustre to this venture is the use of melody created by musical instruments - for the first time perhaps in the genre of Bharatanatyam one of the most evocative, instruments - the saxophone is going to be used to complement the nuances of the poems and the accompanying dance by a youngster called Ramanathan. Spontaneity, improvisation and interaction between the two will give this venture its special character. Quite like in a jazz concert.

According to Lakshmi, through such a presentation she is continuing to express her preferences for certain spaces and ambiences for the complete enjoyment of abhinaya. Recently, she has been performing and lecturing to art lovers around the world at her own dance studio. The place is intimate and artistically arranged - beautiful bronzes are lined against Thota Tharani's crafted wall surface. ``I try to be choosy about the space if I have to present the nuances of my abhinaya,'' says Lakshmi. For this particular occasion, Kiran Rao's early 20th Century mansion is truly apt. The Sundar Mahal, which has beautiful wooden floored space, is almost like a throwback to the times when abhinaya was appreciated and understood by connoisseurs and patrons.

To reach out to a younger audience as well as those who do not understand Tamil, Telugu, etc. English introductions are used.

With Sivaratri just over, this presentation means more for its devotional content - the ideas enshrined in the verses are simple, direct, human yet profound. This is ideal for a person whose abhinaya is generally considered suggestive, subtle yet deep in its inner layers of emotion.

CHITRA MAHESH

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