Sikkil Gurucharancarnatic singer
Carnatic singer Sikkil Gurucharan. , Photo courtesy: The Hindu
Many decades ago, as a young boy, when I was asked to sing a kriti for Lakshmi Puja, I casually said that the school prayer was all I knew, but my teacher reminded me that the famous The song ‘Varveena’ is on Mahalakshmi. This propelled me on the path of absorbing the nuances of the song. Students of Carnatic music usually grapple with the concepts of bhakti and shakti before they learn a song. The discovery still continues, especially when I sing Muthuswami Dikshitar’s compositions on the goddess, ranging from simple notusvara tunes like ‘Shyamale Meenakshi’ and ‘Kamalasana’ to the extraordinary ‘Kamalamba Navavarnam’. The latter is more esoteric with tantric, geometric and religious descriptions of Sri Chakram and its nine enclosures. The beauty of the lyrics of Navavarnam comes out in the 11 ragas in which they are set. Shyama Shastri’s compositions are equally beautiful, especially his ‘Rathna Tharayam’. I feel a sense of dedication while singing this. The ragas Bhairavi, Thodi and Yadhukulkamboji help express the grandeur of Kanchi Kamakshi described in the song. Swathi Tirunal and Papanasam Sivan have also shared their musical and spiritual enthusiasm with us. Muttiah Bhagavathar’s composition in Raga Niroshta is unique – it leaves only two notes ‘Ma’ and ‘Pa’ where the lips touch. All this for a work on Vaagdevi, no less!
When I began a collaborative musical journey with Anil Srinivasan in 2006, I felt Kali and Durga manifesting in different ways while rendering ‘Bhavani Dayani’ as well as the timeless ‘Chinnanjiru Pen Pol’ in Raga Sindhubhairavi. Did. Particularly noteworthy is the way in which Anil interpreted and visualized Durga as a little girl playing hopscotch on the banks of Sivagangai in Chidambaram. Subramaniam Bharati’s ‘Nenjukku Neeti’, ‘Kani Neelam’ and ‘Thondru Nigajhandha’ are powerful hymns of Shakti and Bharat Mata.
Speaking of devotion to our nation, it wasn’t until I sang for Just Us Repertory’s play, Rural Fantasy, that I had the pleasure of learning the full version of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s ‘Vande Mataram’ in ragamalika form. Unknown, which eventually made its way out. My concert repository. The framework of Carnatic music is so broad that even contemporary subjects can be included in it. A Thillana where the lyrics not only glorify Shakti for providing strength to mankind but also asks mankind to respect every woman as Shakti is his personal favourite. Music as a true force of nature can lead us to appreciate new concepts including the worship of Shakti. By the time you read this article, I will probably be starting with ‘Varveena’ in the celebration of the Goddess this Navratri!
Sanjukta SinhaKathak dancer
Kathak dancer Sanjukta Sinha. , Photo Courtesy: Farooqui AM
A Bengali by birth, I grew up seeing the Goddess worshiped as the embodiment of Shakti. As a child, I was captivated by the powerful divine energy during Durga Puja – the resonant voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra reciting ‘Chandipath’, the soothing tunes of Agomoni (Arrival of the Goddess), the foot-tapping beat of Dhak and Infectious energy Dhanuchi dance. Whenever I encountered the idol of Durga, I associated her with a formidable feminine power – a warrior, a woman with immense power to conquer the world. Growing up in an open-minded family, I felt empowered and believed I had everything I needed, which inspired me to pursue my passion for dance.
A Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata’s Dinajpur decorated with lights as part of Navratri celebrations. , Photo Credit: ANI
When I started performing on stage, I felt physically invincible and I thought this was the essence of power. But the journey was not easy. Challenges, fear, uncertainty… you feel emotionally exhausted. That’s when I really discovered what power meant to me. It is not merely an external force; This is the power that resides within. It goes beyond tools and weapons; It’s about building inner confidence and facing your own fears and demons.
Now, I understand Shakti as a pure flow – a dynamic, creative energy, a life force that propels you from within. As an artist, I have come to appreciate my true position. I no longer want to dance just for the movement; I long for that divine power to guide my activities. In this sense, it’s not just me dancing – there’s a larger energy driving my creativity and expression. I have a dream project focused on power, and I hope to bring it to life soon.
Meera Srinarayananbharatanatyam dancer
From Meera Srinarayanan’s ‘Harini’. , Photo Courtesy: KV Srinivasan
Bharatanatyam Dancer As a dancer who has embodied the divine feminine through compositions on the goddess, my understanding of Shakti has evolved beyond seeing her as a distant goddess. Initially, I encountered Shakti in familiar forms – Radha for Krishna, Parvati for Shiva, Saraswati for Brahma, and Lakshmi for Vishnu. However, as I delved deeper into her essence, especially in my production ‘Harini’, Shakti transformed into much more than just a deity. She became the nurturing mother, the guiding guru and the power that prepares the devotees for divine grace. The realization that Vishnu and Shiva also wait for the consent of their Shakti before bestowing blessings reshaped my perception of their role.
Power is not just a companion; He is the power that drives creation, nourishment and transformation. Shivagamasundari not only watches the dance of Nataraja, she also facilitates it. In this sense, power goes beyond the traditional idea of being complementary to the masculine. He is the power behind all movements and changes. However, there is often a discrepancy between the way we honor Shakti in rituals and acknowledge its presence in everyday life. Often, we celebrate Him in festivals, yet ignore His presence within ourselves and others.
As a dancer, I think art helps bridge this gap, making power not just a symbol but a lived reality. I have seen the strength in my mother, who kept our family together, in the quiet strength of my grandmother, and now I balance motherhood and dance within myself.
The Sanskrit word Shaka, meaning ‘to be capable’, perfectly captures the essence of Shakti. She enables, sustains and tolerates every being, not just in the cosmic sense. At this stage of my journey, what strikes me most is how power transcends gender, religion and myth. It is the hope within all of us, waiting to be awakened, providing energy to our dreams and actions. Shakti is the pulse that keeps the universe moving and the force that moves us to dance, dream and create. This is the reason for both my dance and the dance itself. When we recognize and honor the power within us, the true magic begins.
Malini AwasthiFolk and Thumri Artists
Folk and Thumri singer Malini Awasthi. Photo Courtesy: Farooqui AM
As an artist, especially a female artist, I believe that creativity is a form of power. The energy that gives you the power to imagine and appear on stage, in whatever form you wish, is again a beautiful, intangible power of the divine power that artists are blessed with.
As a folk artist, I have had the opportunity to understand the deeper significance of the worship of the Goddess. In folk traditions, she is seen as the protector of land (Bhudevi), family (Kuldevi) and protector from disease (Shitala Devi). And nature plays an important role in this worship.
The songs I present go far beyond describing the attributes of the Goddess. They tell you how to conquer the demons in your life. We don’t usually realize how powerful music can be. We don’t always need to look for the Goddess in a temple or prayer room – strong women (shakti) are all around you.
Savani ShendeHindustani singer
Hindustani singer Sawani Shende. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Right from my years of training, I was taught the importance of knowing the meaning of emotions in order to express them in songs. However, it was during the recording of my album ‘Devi Ragamala’ when I experienced the deep impact of the songs. The wonderful verses were written by Saurabh Savoor and presented in various ragas. While singing them, I started thinking about my negative and positive energies. It seemed as if I had discovered my true nature through words. Even today when I sing them in concerts, they make me think and introspect. Gradually I realized, power is a woman’s everyday existence.
published – October 04, 2024 01:17 PM IST
