Natyapriya: Where beauty meets versatility

The 37th anniversary of the noted dance school Natyapriya led by a versatile dancer, prolific teacher and a  choreographer Guru Padmini Ramachandran was celebrated for two days at its newly built amphi theatre at Hoysalanagar last week.The compact 60x100 open air theatre was inaugurated on Sunday by Chiranjeev Singh, former Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka. It was not only a long cherished dream come true for Guru Padmini but also the rasikas residing in the eastern part of Bangalore are blessed with a small and congenial auditorium. A souvenir Darpana’was also brought out on the occasion.The veteran Guru Padmini Ramachandran has carved an artistic niche with her solid contributions to the field of Bharatanatya. More than 110 rangapraveshas are held under her supervision.Her creative abilities have got fabulously reflected in her numerous dance dramas. Her orthodox approach to body movements has a strong identity of her genuine creativity. She has been culling her medium for a refreshing approach to body movement.In her choreographies the aesthetics and ideologies backed up by brilliant technique are marked by a conviction of portrayal. Thus her works are classic in the treatment and approach adding dimensions to visual impact. She has a distinct eye for group aesthetics. In terms of creating geometrical collages on stage she is unsurpassed.It was a grand sight to behold to watch her senior students Srilakshmi, Minu Mohan, Sharmila Gupta, Surabhi Santosh, Vineeta, Anusha Venkatesh, Aishwarya, Alexandra Das and Pravalika unfolding the beauty and attributes of nine Goddesses like Varahi, Chandi, Chamundi etc. Earlier, Mithun Shyam, Vipin Shyam and Kanya Tayalia gave a flying start to the evening programme with Ganesha stuti Pari pari nee paadame. Tale of Ravana, involving himself, Lord Shiva, Atma Linga etc was neatly enacted by different compositions (Sharanembe naa Shashibhushana and Sanskrit shlokas like Shiva Tandav Stotra, Shivashtakam, etc.Seasoned singersThe seasoned singers, Malladi Brothers Sriramprasad and Malladi Ravikumar accompanied suitably by M A Sundareswaran(violin), MLN Raju(mridanga) and M A Krishnamurthy(ghata) were in their elements in their opening day concert of the music conference of the Bangalore Gayana Samaja.Though they had to do with a faulty sound system, they never seemed to be disturbed. Singing with full involvement and commitment the strains of Athana (Sri Mahaganapathim bhajeham, raga by Sriramprasad and continued by Ravikumar and swaras) were excellent.The delineation of the line Shrita jana sevitam was endearing. Though sung with Reetigowla alapana the krithi Mama hridaye was rounded off without neraval and swara. Ravikumar’s Kalyanavasantha for Naada loludai was just moving. Poorvi Kalyani(Meenakshi me mudam) was the major exposition ornamented with alapana, sahitya and swaravinyasa and also rather a brief tani).The raga tana and pallavi (Nee paadamule gathiyeni nammithi) in Sarasangi raga and set to  khanda roopaka in khanda nadai was both scholarly and brilliant. The ragamalika(Mohana, Sriranjini, Hameerkalyani, Kapi) swaras were spicy.Poetic interpretationLevels, groupings and extensions of a movement by the group were used to produce catchy arrangements where space was sculpted. Poetic images were plenty. The tandavas and complex karanas were etched by Shyam-duo with artistry and aesthetics. Students of Kanya did well in depicting the Baala Krishna and his pranks on the basis of Mukunda mala.Students of Mithun Shyam provided varied glimpses of Lord Muruga(Kumara darshana) as seen in the six famous temples of Palani, Swami malai, Tiruchendur, Tiruparamkundram, Tirutthani and Pazhumudir Cholai. The patriotric dance by students of Natyapriya was followed by with a tillana based Nrithyaparivarthana.Guru Padmini Ramachandran’s powerful nattuvanga was as usual invigorating. Balasubramanya Sharma and Ramesh Chadaga as singers did their job efficiently. The trusted musicians of Guru Padmini Narasimhamurthy(flute), Janardhana(mridanga) and Srihari(khanjira) imparted a lively support.