Vibha Veeraraghavan | Photo courtesy: SR Raghunathan
The audience thoroughly enjoyed the dance performance, which included a variety of carefully selected songs and powerful choreography. Vibha Veeraraghavan, a disciple of Archana Narayanamurthy, founder and managing trustee of Pandanallur School of Arts, presented her solo Bharatanatyam recital.
Vibha began her recital with Pushpanjali in Raga Nattai and Adi taal. This was followed by a kirtanai, ‘Adikondar Anda Vedikkai Kanaka Kan Aayiram Vendamo’, in which the devotee says, “To see the Ananda Thandavam of the cosmic dancer Nataraja, do I not need a thousand eyes?” Nataraja is a benevolent deity who saves his devotees in times of conflict. When he dances, everything around him shakes, for he is the source of all motion in the universe. He won the dance competition with Goddess Kali by performing the Urdhva Thandavam pose, and became the permanent deity (Sabanayagar) of the temple Thillai of Chidambaram. The piece is set in Raga Mayamalavagowla and Adi taal, and is composed by Muthu Thandavar. Vibha’s lively movements expressed the essence of this powerful song.
Vibha Veeraraghavan performing at the Narada Gana Sabha Mini Hall. | Photo courtesy: SR Raghunathan
Next came the ‘Senthilmevum Deva Deva Shivabala’ varnam in praise of Lord Muruga who resides in Tiruchendur. He is the slayer of the demon Surabhadra, protector of the gods and the son of Lord Shiva. In the line ‘Sintai Irangi Ennai Ala Va Velava Va’ the devotee pleads, “What is the reason for you to ignore my devotion or refuse to understand my feelings?” This composition is set in Raga Neelambari and Adi talam and is composed by Lalgudi G. Jayaraman. The jathi compositions are composed by Pandanallur Srinivas. As far as varnams go, this one was different. Vibha’s abhinaya and nritta skills came to the fore in this composition.
Vibha performs the Nataraja pose. | Photo courtesy: SR Raghunathan
This was followed by Oothukadu Venkatasubbayar’s ‘Kuzhaluthi Manamelam’ in Raga Kambhoji and Adi tal. In it, the shepherd says, “When I hear the sweet sound emanating from the flute played by Krishna, all my sorrows disappear and I am immersed in eternal bliss.” The young dancer expressed the sentiments beautifully.
The closing performance was a Thillana in Raga Paras and Adi taal composed by Srinivasa Iyengar. Vibha’s sharp steps brought out the emotion of the composition.
The evening’s orchestra comprised Randini Aravind on vocals, Nagai Narayanan on mridanga, MS Kannan on violin, and choreography and nattuvangam was done by Archana Narayanamurthy.
