|
Arangetram:
Nishali excels in sacred form of Indian dance
Suharshi Perera
Twisted trunk, large body,
thousand suns and equal light;
Remove all obstacles, my Lord
In all undertakings at all times......
|
PROMISING DANCER: Nishali Silva Amarasekera in a dance pose. |
Bharata Natyam: The Sankrit Shlok was being recited. The dim
lights gradually invaded the stage along with the tranquil music of the
sitar banishing dark corners and silence of the stage. The dancer enters
the stage in graceful steps disciplined to the music.
The dancer unveils her talent enthralling the audience with subtle
and fine movements of the dance.
The dancer Nishali Silva Amarasekara was promising in her Bharata
Natyam dance recital at her first performance after being graduated and
mastering Bharata Natyam.
With the inborn talent for dance, Nishali never lacked Shraddha; keen
interest for the art that she is mastering. Bharata Natyam being a mode
to communicate with the divine, Nishali traversed a long way with utmost
dedication to grasp the true essence of the art in its original soil.
She entered Bharatya Palkalei Koodam, the College of Fine and
Performing Arts affiliated to the Pondicheri University, India to master
Bharata Natyam for five years.
"Bharata Natyam is one of the seven classical dance forms in India.
It is associated with religion and thus becomes a divine and sacred form
of art. In any dance, Shraddha (keen interest) and intelligence are the
two key aspects. Tolerance and self-discipline are instilled in the
person who adheres to these qualities," Nishali observes.
Having studied at Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo Nishali staged her
initial performance; Arangethram while she was in the Advanced Level
class under the guidance of Srimathi Haridevi Jayasundara. Her childhood
teacher was the late Kamala Jayatillake.
Her exceptional and outstanding talents opened the doors of the
prestigious Pondicheri University where she studied different facets of
the classical dance under Srimathi Jayashree Narayanan.
Along with Bharata Natyam Nishali mastered another art form Mohini
Attam which depicted the themes of love and separation. "In this form
love stands for Madhura bhakti which is the Sacred love for god. Same as
for Bharatha Nattyam this dance form is also woven around history and
mythology," she says.
According to Nishali it also involves lot of vigour, grace, vitality
and mime. It carries masculine steps too and is move into grace and
adhinav facial expressions.
"Out of all forms Bharata Natyam is the utmost with every component
attached," Nishali explains.
Her intrinsic talent and five movements fetched her many
achievements. She was promoted to the upper class enabling her to
accomplish her five year course in four years. During the course she
mastered not only the art but theatre arts, costume, make-up and stage
decor too.
Having passed the BPA (Bachelor in Performing Arts) with a first
class Nishali returned to her motherland to bestow her knowledge to the
younger generation.
"In Sri Lanka Arangethram is considered the attainment of Bharata
Natyam. But it's a misconception that has to be shattered. Art is like
an ocean. It never ends and Arangethram is just a stepping stone. There
is a long way ahead," the young dancer reveals.
Nishali being the dance teacher of Belvoir College imparts her
knowledge to her students guiding them to undertake a smooth sail in the
infinite ocean of art.
The improvisation of art in Sri Lanka is very less while
commercialisation is at a turning rate. This is very unfortunate. More
imagination and dedication should go into dance in place of other
factors such as Chief Guest and stage decor," Nishali observes.
The aim of her dancing career is to Master the art and explore its
deep ends to reach international level. |
