Meenakshi Chittaranjan dance performance on December 28, 2022 at Bhawan Rajaji Vidyashram, Kilpauk. Photo Credit: Srinivasan KV
Pandanallur Parampara – A timeless gem performed by Meenakshi Chittaranjan and her students was a gentle and well-thought-out repertoire that showcased the talents of the Thanjavur quartet. The talented artistes who accompanied them made the singing memorable.
There was nothing theatrical or populist in this performance held at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kilpauk, it was just a faithful observance of the bani. This was more evident in the Vasantha Jathiswaram by the quartet. There were hardly any exaggerated movements or highly stylized expressions. Instead, this dance-based piece was performed at a leisurely pace.
Mayamalavagaula, one of the quartet’s gems, Guru Stuti in Roopakam, ‘Maya Theetha Swaroopini’ set the tone for the evening.
Meenakshi chose to bring a synergy between herself (as a dancer-choreographer) and her students, and they seamlessly weaved the pieces together.
The varnam in Chakravakam ‘Ennerum’ (etc.) was the central piece, which was marked by some delightful imagery. The quintessential heroine and her longing for divine union was a part of Meenakshi’s thoughts about its relevance these days – “As long as we are human, love and its related sentiments can never go out of vogue or become irrelevant”. .
Varnam was an offering to the god. The dance route had precise jathis, which were executed with easy, clean lines.
‘En Mail Avarukku’ in Bhairavi (Mishra Chapu) written by poet Kunjara Bharathi was full of fleeting expressions which also provided a nice interlude after the varnam. Thillana composed by Lalgudi Jayaraman in Mohana Kalyani followed by Mangalam in Madhyamavathi (Thanjavur Quartet) culminated in vocals.
Pandanallur Pandian on nattuvangam, vocals by Gomtinayakam, T. Viswanathan on mridangam and violin by R. It belonged to Kalairasan. The other dancers were Aparna, Kritika, Nivedita and Sahana.