Pranati Ramadurai performing at Vani Mahal Mini Hall, T. Nagar. , Photo Credit: Ravindran R
Pranathi Ramadurai, a disciple of Guru Radha, belongs to Vazuvoor Bani and herself learned from the great hero. His Bharatanatyam recital at Vani Mahal was a happy amalgamation of talents – composer, dancer, nattuvanar and choreographer (Radha), and musicians (singer Nandini Anand, flautist Shruti Sagar, mridangam player Vijayaraghavan and violinist Kalaiyarasan).
The performance was slightly longer than usual, 100 minutes, full of melodic compositions, somewhat unusual. The opening mahalinga kavuthuvam from the traditional vazhuvoor repertoire by Gangamuthu Nattuvanar in begada (one tala) was one such. Unusual words like ‘Thagatha Thagatha Thana’ in 8’s and ‘Tha Kudu Dhi Kudu Ton Gudu Naan Gudu’ in Teesra were exciting to hear and watch. Guru Radha’s Nattuvangam was exemplary here as a whole text. Ragamalika Jatiswaram (Mishra Chapu) by Thanjavur Quartet, starting from Kalyani, was marked by clean steps, good timing and agility. An awkward elbow may need correction during the ‘Tharikitthom’ phase.
Gambhiranattai, etc., pada varnam ‘amma anandadayini’ was demanding, with jathi pairs one after the other. They were a mix of Vazhuvoor favorites and newcomers. Guru Radha is expanding her repertoire and it’s a good thing because the moves she makes are still as round and quirky as the new-age linear vocabulary that’s caught everyone off guard. His nattuvangam with Vijayaraghavan’s percussion intensifies the nritta.
As the unbroken raga was enjoyed from Nandini, the dancer paid homage to the ‘devi’ as the compassionate one who fed the hungry child Sambandar, and as one with naïve feelings towards Shiva.
The soulful pieces were lighter – ‘Chalaiye’ (Brindavan Saranga, Swathi Tirunal), ‘Pala Vadiyum Mugam’ (Nattakurinji, Oothukadu Venkatasubbair) and ‘Karapgame’ (Madhyamavathi, Papanasam Sivan). The music score was very well coordinated with Shruti Sagar, Nandini and Kalaiyarasan.
Nalinakanthi Thillana (Lalgudi Jayaraman) brought the evening of tunes to a rousing finale.