Arathana, a splendid dance performance
by Priyadarshini Sadagopan
The Ramakrishna Mission Hall, Colombo 6 was packed with art lovers
recently to see a dance performance presented by Subashini Pathmanathan
and her pupils.
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Students of Subashini
Pathmanathan |
Normally in Sri Lanka the recitals are displayed as carnival shows,
using a large number of students and stage decorations. However,
Arathana was quite a different show which revealed high standards.
Subashini has maintained high standard while training her students.
The program started with Vinayagar Sthuthi followed by Pushpanjali
performed by a group of students including Reeyana Nandwani, Oshadhi
Uthpala, Sujth Nishantha, Yelani Siyara Wijesundara and Nakshathra
Surendran. They performed four different classical dances. In each item
the students proved their exceptional skills in pure Nirtha and Nirthya.
Seven-year-old Reeyana Nandwani performed a Keerthanam on Lord Krishna.
It was in the raga Sri Ranjani and set to Aathi Thala. It portrayed how
the adopted mother of Lord Krishna advises him to be a good child by
avoiding his mischievous pranks. She expressed her distress over his
mischievous behaviour. Reeyana expressed her exceptional skills of Bhava
in the Keerthanam. She captured the hearts of the audience.
Another remarkable talented dancer is Tharushi Yashodha Nimal
Nishantha. She performed along with Grithvhina Ganesh and Mahetiri
Mahendanayagam. Tharushi Yashodha’s expressions were excellent.
Grithvhina Ganesh and Mahetiri Mahendanayagam also performed certain
individual dances. Mahetiri Mahendanayagam performed a gypsy dance based
on typical Themangu Raga.
The twin sisters Dineesha Wijayasuriya and Dinusha Wijayasuriya
presented a brilliant performance. Both of them proved their skills in
Nirtha with graceful Nirthya. They performed Sai Vanthanam in
Gabiranatai raga, Ennavil in Malayamarutham raga and Kandavatham in
Valachi raga. They never failed to prove their outstanding skills in the
alien dance form.
Subashini is a disciple of world renowned dance maestro Padmashree
Vazhuvoor Ramiah Pillai. Vazhuvoor’s classical Bharatha Natya style is
unique. This is still protected only by the Gurukula tradition. It has
not moved to the institutional level.
Hymn
Subashini started the evening with ‘Appannee Ammai Nee’ a
Thiruthandakam hymn of Saint Appar which she dedicated to her late
father. In the devotional hymn she addressed Lord Shiva as her father,
mother and all of her relations in the world. The Virutham emotionally
appealed to the audience. It was followed by a Keerthanam in the
Mayamalagowlai raga set to Aathi thala,in which the dancer addressed the
omnipotent Lord inquiring the mystery behind his cycle of creation and
destruction.
It was followed by another descriptive Keerthanam ‘Adputha Chippi’ on
Lord Shiva. It was one of Subashini’s favourite Keerthanams commonly
seen in all her stage performances. It is a composition of the great
Bharatha Natya maestro the late Padamashree Thandauthapanni Pillai. It
is in the raga Ragamaliga, set to Aathi Thala. The deep devotional song
described the beauty of Ananda Thandava pose, the sculptural piece of
Lord Nataraja.
Next was a poetic item. It was a composition of the great Tamil poet
Bharthi Dasan’s ‘Thunpam nerkyail’ which describes the exceptional
melody of the ancient Tamil musical instrument Yarl.
It was in the raga Desh and set to Aathi Thala. The dancer executed
the item with full involvement and emotions.
Lord Vishnu
The Telugu Keerthanam on Lord Vishnu described the divine acts of
Lord Vishnu. Different incarnations of Lord Vishnu were beautifully
described in the melodious Keerthanam in the heart-melting raga Kamas
and set to Aathi Thala. Only an experienced and exceptional dancer can
perform the complicated Keerthanam with full of Sakiythiya Swaras. The
central piece of the dance recital was the one act dance drama Kutrala
kuravanchi of the 18th century. It was an excellent item. Nearly six
different characters were involved in the dance drama.
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Subashini Pathmanathan |
Subashini portrayed six different characters including Kadiyakaran
(story teller), Lord Shiva, Vasantha Valli (heroine) maids of Vasantha
Valli, Kuravan, (Gypsy man), and Kurathi–gypsy woman.
Attraction
Another attraction was her part in changing the rhythmic step
patterns for different Thala, Kala and Laya. The story of the dance
drama sarted with a procession of the presiding deity of Kutrala temple
the Lord Shiva, named Kutrala Nathar.
According to the story, the Kutrala Nathar, goes in a procession on
his vehicle bull. At that time the princess Vasantha Valli, who was
playing with her maids saw the procession of the Kutrala Nathar and fell
in love with him.
Due to the overwhelming love she refused to take food, or water, or
to wear the fresh flower garlands. All her attitudes showed the signs of
depression. Friends Vasantha Valli is were curious to know the cause of
her abnormal behaviour.
They tried to perform numerous rituals to relieve her from her
depression. At the end, the maids came across a gipsy woman, who was a
soothsayer. They asked her to find out the cause of her depression.
The gypsy woman read the palm of the princess and told them that the
lovelorn princess Vasantha Valli was attracted by the beauty of Lord
Siva, (Kutrala Nathar) and said Lord Shiva, would be her husband.
The last scene of the dance drama depicted, how the husband of the
gypsy woman was looking for his wife all over Tamil Nadu. At last he
came to the sacred temple of Kutrala Nathar and worshipped the Lord.
Then he found his wife. They prayed to the Lord and surrendered
themselves to him.
Subashini played the vital role in the show Arathana and revealed her
full dedication and long standing experience, hard work and
determination in her dancing career. |