Review: Mathura Narthana Mela
Mathura Narthana Mela’ - an annual Bharatha Natya programme was
organised at the Indian Cultural Centre Colombo, by its own students at
the Indian Cultural Centre auditorium recently. These students were
trained by Subashini Pathmanathan an outstanding Sri Lankan Bharatha
Natya artiste.
Subashini joined the Indian Cultural Centre in 1998, during its
inauguration. Since then her students produced numerous Classical, Folk,
and Dance Dramas. All these dances were well received by the public.
‘Mathura Narthana Mela’ started with Sai Vanthanam on Saint Sri
Sathya Sai Baba on Gambiranatai Raga set to Aathi thala. It is followed
by Pushpanjali, by the junior students of the Centre. These students
proved their total ability, skill, and hard working in the dance. Their
araimandi position, neck movements, and their abinaya, were perfect.
Then the students switched to the pure Nirtha piece Alaripu and
proved their skill in Anga, Pirathi anga, and Upa anga movements.
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Students of
Subashini Pathmanathan perform at Indian Cultural Centre. |
The junior batch presented a Sabtham; it was a composition of Tanjore
Quartette, of the 18th century. This Sabtham was followed by another
Sabtham, a composition by the great Bharatha Natya Guru the late
Padmashree Vazhuvoor Ramiahpillai, this Sabtham was presented by the
senior students. The Sabthams were on Lord Krishna, they were based on
raga Ragamaliga, set to Misrasapu thala. The students proved their
exceptional skill in Abinaya, and Bhava, rasa, and intricate footwork.
The Sabthams were followed by a solo dance, which was performed by a
senior student. It was a very attractive item, on Goddess Kali. First
half of the song was based on pure classical music, and the next half of
the dance was based on typical folk music.
Next was a Keerthanam on Lord Siva, it is on the Raga Karnataka Deva
Kanthari, set to Aathi thala. In this devotional hymn, the dancers
question the Saiva saints how they sang so beautiful devotional hymns on
Lord Siva. The facial expressions of the dancers were excellent. Using
hand gestures for interpreting the meanings for such songs are
difficult, yet the dancers used appropriate hand gestures.
This was followed by another item, by the students below eight years
old; they execute the item with full enthusiasm. It was a composition by
the great Tamil poet Subramanian Bharathiyar of the 20th century. A
gypsy dance was presented by one of the senior student; in that dance,
the dancer beautifully portrays the life style, pattern and nature of
their mountainous land where the gypsies live. The music of the song was
set to typical Themangu folk music, which is very appropriate for the
gypsy dance.
The folk dance was followed by a snake dance, the dancer depicted the
sinuous movements, beautiful, and graceful stances, and postures of the
snake.
Finally the programme was concluded with two Thillanas, one Thillana
was presented by one set of students, the other was presented by another
set of students.The first Thillana was in the Raga Parasu, set to Aathi
thala, the other one was in the Raga Kaanada, set to Aathi thala.
In both Thillanas the students proved their exceptional and excellent
skill in Nirtha, and Nirthaya.
The finale of the programme was Mangalam. In the Mangalam all the
dancers participated and invoked the almighty to pour the blessings on
the audience, guru, and the world at large.
After a long period of interval the audience had the chance of
viewing a typical Vazhuvoor style dance recital. The dancers presented
the show with full involvement, dedication, and devotion. The credit
should go to their Guru Subashini, for her exceptional training in the
art. The show was a good cultural feast for the audience.
Subashini Pathmanathan is a Post graduate from the Punjab University,
and completed her diploma in Bharatha Natyam from Vazhuvoorar Classical
Bharatha Natya Centre Chennai, under the guidance of the great Bharatha
Natya Maestro the Late Padmashree Vazhuvoor Ramiahpillai. She authored
five books on dance. She also has completed a Diploma, and Master of
Fine Arts degree in Bharatha Natyam from the Bharathidasan University,
Thiruchirappali.
- Vadsala Vakesan
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