Maithil Devika’s performance in KGS: Grace woven into the rhythm

Sometimes, words are inadequate to express the experience of ‘Anandam’. One felt the same after Maithil Devika’s Mohiniyattam for Krishna Gana Sabha’s Margazhi festival.

From Cholakettu to Mangalam, the performance enthralled the audience as the grace, beauty and lyricism of the dance style came to the fore.

From carefully crafted compositions and musical delivery to the choreography, every aspect was woven together seamlessly. Devika had an excellent team of musicians, but what enhanced the experience was the way each instrument was used very thoughtfully. The sudden shift from the mridangam to the sound of chenda for dramatic effect, the melodious response of the flute intermittently and the majestic sound of the veena added to the effect.

Cholakettu, a simple Ragamalika accompanied by ‘Rajarajeshwari Ashtakam’ composed by Adi Shankar, started Maithil Devika’s performance for Krishna Gana Sabha. , Photo Courtesy: Srinath M

A simple Ragamalika Talmalika Cholakettu along with ‘Rajarajeshwari Ashtakam’ composed by Adi Shankar started the evening’s performance. A simple question from a young boy who wanted to know why there were so many peacock feathers on the crown of the dancer in Krishnattam was answered in the Sthalapuranam of the Guruvayur temple and the ‘Song of Feathers’ on Krishnattam. Devotee Samundri of Kozhikode gets a vision of Krishna, and composes a Krishna song in praise of Guruvayoorappan. The leitmotif of the peacock feather took center stage in this composition, and the way the dancer portrayed it at opportune moments made a strong visual impact. The depiction of the peacock was remarkable.

Maithil Devika displayed various shades of emotions beautifully, be it Swathi Tirunal’s padam in Raga Dhanyasi or the nividha Ashtapadi ‘Priya Charusile’ in Raga Sudha Dhanyasi. The progression from Bhakti Marga and Shringara Bhava culminated at a deeper, philosophical level, in which Devika explored the chakras, mandalas and yantras of the body in ‘Kamalamba Navavarnam’.

Maithil Devika skillfully portrayed a myriad of emotions in her performance for Krishna Gana Sabha. , Photo Courtesy: Srinath M

The orchestral support of Meera Rammohan on vocals, Kalamandalam Krishna Gopinath on mridangam and maddalam, Thiruvananthapuram Sajith Bipin on chenda and edakka, Vinoth Kumar Koppam on flute, Pala Vaiju N Reji on veena and Ajeesh Menon on nattuvangam were the pillars of support for Devika.