Music Academy’s Mid-Eyer Dance Festival shows another promising artist

As part of the Mid-Eyer Dance Festival of the Sangeet Academy, Bharatanatyam dancer Aswati. And the disciple of Shijith Nambiar and Parvati Menon presented a single performance, which weaves originally for devotion and storytelling.

In the evening, it was opened with Alaryipu, followed by ‘Sri Jalandhara’, a gesture in Gombira Natai, which was set in Tala, composed by Jayachmaraja Vodear. Bhajan praised Shiva as the supreme yogi, beautified with Ganga, Crescent Moon and Snake. Aswati survived the glory of the deity through clear lines and expressive acts, capturing her cosmic energy and the terrible destruction of Tripura and the way. The references of holy places like Arunachal, Sri Kalahasta and Chidambaram were presented with reverence, which anchored the piece in devotional imagination.

The central piece of the evening was Vanam ‘Vanajaksha’ in Behgh, composed by TR Subramaniam, who gave enough scope to the dancer to showcase his technical agility and narrative sensitivity. Centered on Krishna, the piece surfaced through complex genius, attached to each other with the expressive story. His depiction of the snake Kaliya under control by Krishna was especially striking, opposite Krishna’s cool, opposite with commanding grace, Swift-King movements.

At the Mid-Eyer Dance Festival organized by Sangeet Academy. , Photo Credit: K_Pichumani

In the final piece, the tone moved to calm pain. The Ramnataka work by Arunachala Kavi was set in ‘Appdi Manam Thundtho’, Raga Hussaini, he voiced Sita’s heart pain as he questioned the decision to leave behind Ram. Aswati’s acting was moving forward, allowing the audience to feel Sita’s mistrust and sorrow. His portrayal expressed emotional maturity, which shut down the performance on a note of poignant reflection.

The orchestra consisted of Janani Humsini Narasimhan on Vocals, KP Nandini on Violin, Bardatta VV on Mridangam and Shijith Nambiar on Nattuvangam. Aswati’s performance stood for her honest engagement with the topics she selected. This music was a good addition to the celebration of the classical dance of the academy.