Wednesday, August 14, 2013

2013 Aug - Dance Recital by Shilpa Sridhar

Dancing Dynasty

Shilpa Sridhar, who is a darling of our South Florida community, gave a fantastic dance recital on Aug 11, 2013 at the River of Grass Susan B Katz Theater. 

Let us set aside the dance part a bit and listen to the thank you speech again from Shilpa.  She did not just stop at thanking her parents for everything they have given.  Shilpa said she hopes to take care of them someday like she is being taken care.  That was a very inspiring statement for someone who just finished her high school.  It was nice to see mother-daughter team function also as a Guru-Sishya team.  Bringing up a child is tough enough, in addition bringing out the artistic talent is even more difficult – great job by Sangeetha Sridhar.  Jayanthi joins me in blessing Shilpa for the dancing dynasty to continue.  Congrats to the Sridhar family.

We have known Shilpa from her birth so obviously I will be a little biased.  I tried to set that aside and look at her dance from an outsider viewpoint to the best of by ability.  Congratulations to Shilpa as she has truly developed her “dancer personality”.  It is one thing to repeat what your guru has taught but it is a whole another thing to bring out your own personality into it.  That’s when a dancer truly begins to blossom in her art form and chalks a course for herself.  It is wonderful that she has captured that essence and I think those who witnessed will agree.  Speaking for South Florida community I would request Shilpa to give a solo performance at least once a year.  In addition, in during her undergraduate years at the University of Florida I am sure she will showcase her talent.  We are very proud that Shilpa is from our community.  We wish you the best in your life.

Pushpanjali and Jathiswaram – A striking beginning to the program.  Jathiswaram was in Ragamalika which made it look like we were witnessing several Jathiswarams back to back.  The ease with which Shilpa moved about on stage and her graceful fluid movements gave life to the music.  Her sense of rhythm was evident.  This set the tone for the program to come.

Varnam in Shiva Shakthi and Shivaranjani in Adi – here three generations were at work in this number.  Shilpa’s grandmother Smt. Vasumathy Swamy is truly a gifted Tamil poet.  She has composed many songs in the past and they have been set to music and choreographed into dance numbers.  This one tops it all – great job, Maami.  This Varnam is on Ardhanarishvara a celestial union of Shiva and Parvathi as one – symbolizes that male-female principles are inseparable.  This Varnam was written specifically for this program.  It was a 40-45 min piece demonstrating Shilpa’s mastery over various faculties of Bharatha Nrithyam and endurance.  There were a lot of scope for showing the bhavams especially the power of Shiva and the grace of Parvathi.  It culminated in bringing the two together with Shilpa depicting Shiva on her right half and Parvathi on her left.  The raga choice was also fantastic here in bringing out the true feelings of the song which was powerfully rendered by the orchestra making it a divine experience.

Illai, Illai in Ragamalika/Adi – Some of you may have heard the Hindi Bhajan composed by Sur Das called “Mai Nahi Makhan Khayo” popularized by Anup Jalota in recent times.  Inspired by that, this song takes two popular krithis of Oothukkadu “Thaya Yashoda” and “Illai Illai” and blends it into one number.  Krishna lies through the song to get favors from Yashoda and finally delivers the punch line that every complaint she heard was in fact true by adding “Poyye Illai” at the end.  Very similar to Sur Das’s clever punch line of “Mai Ne hi Makhan Khayo” meaning “I was the one who ate the butter”.  Now, let your imagination go on how Shilpa would have danced for this song.  Any song on Krishna is always a favorite of audiences of all ages.  Lot of happiness, humor and grace were presented in this song.

Maa Mayura in Bilahari/Adi – a catchy tune in a ragam that is favorite for many and well done by the orchestra.  Song depicts Lord Muruga riding on his beautiful peacock to come and bless the dancer.  Nice depiction of festivities and devotion to Muruga and graceful steps with Kaavadi. 

Sundara Kaandam in Ragamalika/Adi – Shilpa depicted the stories of Hanuman crossing the sea to find Sita in the Ashoka Vanam in Lanka.  Shilpa actually brought out those characters from within.  We all felt like flying with Hanuman and feeling the sorrow of Sita staying alone in Ravana’s land.  That shows the maturity of the dancer as she becomes the character she is depicting.  Nice.

Drupad in Purvi/Rupakam – well rendered with speed and agility.


Sunday, August 4, 2013

Aug 2013 - Bharatha Natyam Arangetram by Bhavika, Aneesha and Shalini

A feast for eyes and ears

Bharatha Natyam Arangetram of Aneesha Balachandar, Bhavika Shah and Shalini Chandar successfully took place on Aug 3, 2013 at the beautiful Miniaci center of Performing Arts in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Having multiple dancers in a debut performance has some advantages and challenges.  This allows a lot more scope for creative choreography which was nicely taken advantage by their teacher, Aparna Matange.  There is a huge pressure on the dancers to be in lock step with each other as even a slight miss can be picked by even untrained audience.  Kudos to the dancers as their years of training have paid off.  A lot of credit goes to Aparna for imparting the thalam knowledge to her disciples.  Overall, the performance was a real treat along with the musical ensemble.  Each dancer is very capable and I hope they stretch themselves to the challenge of giving solo performances in the future.  Jayanthi joins me in congratulating Shalini, Bhavika and Aneesha.

Before going to the song-by-song details I would like to have a word with you about the MCs, Sangeetha Ramkumar and Jigna Shah.  It is wonderful to have MCs who are accomplished dancers themselves.  Their explanation before each song with abhinaya was extremely educational.  They were both picture of grace and beauty on stage.  We have all seen this done by dancer themselves on occasion but this format is surely refreshing and thank you for giving us a unique experience.

Ganesha Stuthi – when the singer and mridangist started the evening with a beautiful rendering of a song on Ganesha we all knew this is going to be an enjoyable evening.  In Tamil we say “Kutchery Kalai Kattidithu” meaning the program is going to be wonderful.  Mridangam usually sets the tempo of a dance program and Sri Shankaranarayan set it beautifully.  The well trained voice of the singer, Bhavana Pradumna, was well suited for dance with a bit of huskiness in it and the mridangist was an experienced hand.  On the violin was our local maestro, Sanjay Chandran and on the Flute was Sreekrishna Pasumarthy.  They added color to the concert.  Nice job, overall.

Shloka and Alaripu – All our programs start with a dance seeking the blessings from Guru, God and the audience.  Alaripu is a warm up for the upcoming performance.  Also gave a peek into the choreography we are about to witness – nice touch.

Jatiswaram in Raga Hamsanandi/Rupaka talam – Aparna had a very well trained voice for rendering the Jati’s, it is no wonder as she is a trained singer as well.  Nice dance sequences individually and collectively.  It was like watching a kaleidoscope bursting in front of our eyes as the dancers moved in rhythmic patterns in their rich costumes.  The synchronization of the thalam among the dancers was pleasing.

Gajavadana in Sriranjani/Aadi – This was a solo performance by Aneesha, who was very graceful.  Her hard work through the years of training showed.

Varnam in Poorvi Kalyani/Aadi – As always, I enjoyed Sanjay’s rendition of Poorvi Kalyani on the Violin.  His intro piece to the song was nice and the singing by Bhavana was wonderful.  Varnam is usually the most challenging piece in any Arangetram as it tests every aspect of the dance – pure dance form, sancharis or story-telling, abhinya or acting and bhavam or expressions.  Varnam also tests your mettle as it usually goes on for about 40-45 min.  In a shared Arangetram the endurance test is lost a little as the choreography has to allow for each to showcase their individual talent.  But I can tell you that each one is capable of taking on the challenge of a solo performance.  I am hoping to see that very soon.

Pancharatna Kriti – Jagadananda in Natai/Aadi – very good song selection.  This is a well known krithi, loved by all music lovers, but first time for me witnessing as a dance number.   Choreography again is done well and executed beautifully by all the dancers.

Enna Thavam in Kapi/Aadi – another song composed by Papanasam Sivan Krithi.  Shalini gave a solo performance for this song.  Shalini had grace and beautiful expressions.  She beautifully acted out the part where Krishna was tied to a barrel and releasing himself.  Good job.

Jakkinidaru in Shankarabharaman/Aadi – well done

Yaro Ivar Yaro in Bhairavi/Aadi – a beautiful slow number with a lot of scope for abhinaya and bhavam.  Bhavika as a solo performer did a very nice job displaying Seetha’s mind as she watches Rama in procession through the streets of Mithila.  There were some light moments in the performance which was very enjoyable.

Thillana in Brindavana Saranga/Aadi – nice brisk dance with intricate footwork and poses.  Having three dancers again gave a lot of scope for unique choreography well taken advantage by Aparna.    

Nice performance by Shalini, Bhavika and Aneesha.  Accept our blessings for you to grow and achieve greatness in your life.  Having been trained in one of the greatest art forms in the world – keep that passion alive through the rest of your life.  You will never know when it will come in handy.  Keep up the great work.