Majestic confluence of styles in Chidambaram Natyanjali Festivel

Exponents of various dance forms perform at the Natyanjali festival at Chidambaram Natarajar temple

CUDDALORE:

          A galaxy of performing artists representing eight classical dance forms jointly presented a kaleidoscopic and exhilarating performance in the Natyanjali Festival at Chidambaram Natarajar temple on Wednesday night. The stage for the artists was the ‘Nritya Sangamam,' a confluence of various dance forms on the same platform.

           Though the fete is generally viewed as a congruent point for all classical dance forms, it is for the first time that the event organizer Natyanjali Trust has experimented with the novel theme of putting all the exponents on stage for a single event.

The participants in the singular event are: 

Sadanam Balakrishnan of Kerala – Kathakali; 

Pratiba Prahalad of New Delhi – Bharatham; 

Darshana Jhaveri of Kolkata –Manipuri; 

Ranjana Gauhar of New Delhi – Odissi; 

Vaijayanthi Kashi of Bangalore – Kuchipudi; 

Sheila Mehta of Mumbai – Kathak; 

Sharodi Saikia of Guwahati – Sattriya and 

Gopika Varma of Chennai – Mohini Attam.

           The scintillating performance by the artists kept the audience, including a sprinkling of foreigners, spell bound. Even the uninitiated were found riveted to the ensemble. The programme began with a line-up led by the Kathakali performer in the traditionally elaborate costume. The majesty of the mudras and the fluid movement of the expressive eyes set the tone for evening. Then followed the choreography of the artists, both in tandem and in unison

             The soft and graceful movements of the Manipuri dancer, the mellifluous mobility of the Odissi dancer, the signature spin of the Kathak dancer, the evocative expression of the Sattriya artist, enchanting embellishments of the Mohini Attam artist, the rhythm of the Bharatham artist and the scintillating swivel of the Kuchipudi artist, all presented a visual as well as a musical treat.

        The underlying theme was “Maha Vidhya,” signifying Goddess Sakthi/Durga in her various moods. Devotion and fervour marked the performances and the spirit permeated to the audience too. Trust secretary A.Sambandam told The Hindu that the Trust adopted the innovative method with full cooperation of the artists who had even come down to Chidambaram two days before the event to practice. He said that since all the accompanying musicians could not be accommodated on stage, recorded music was made use of.

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Natyanjali begins today

CUDDALORE: 

         The 30th edition of “Natyanjali” will get off to a colourful start at the Nataraja temple in Chidambaram on Wednesday.

          The five-day event will witness forms of dance such as Bharatanatyam, Kuchupudi, Mohini Attam, Kathak, Odissi, Sattriya, Manipuri and Chhau. A.K. Natarajan, president of Natyanjali Trust, told The Hindu that this year a unique programme would be held in which exponents of various dance forms would perform on the same platform, like Jugalbandhi in music concerts. Mr. Natarajan said that styled as “Nritya sangamam,” the event would stretch from 10.45 p.m. (March 2), to 12.10 a.m. (March 3) during which artists would give individual performance for specified time and later, a joint dance treat.

         It would be a confluence of culture and skill, flowing from various parts of the country and culminating at the Chidambaram temple. Other highlights of the programme would be dance dramas, “Rajarajeswara vijayam,” to be enacted on Thursday and “Mahadevam,” the concluding event on the final day. Mr. Natarajan said that as was the custom, artists from all over the country and abroad were too eager to participate in the fete. Only after close scrutiny of the profiles, artists and troupes have been allowed to perform. Besides encouraging artists from elsewhere, the Trust also made it a point to support local talent.

          As of now, there were at least about six dance schools in Chidambaram and they would be given chances. Mr. Natarajan categorically said that no repeat performance by any artist would be permitted. However, Padma Subrahmanyam would be an exception because of her association with the Trust from its inception and her help in conducting the festival. He categorically said that it was certainly not the platform for “arangetram” of individual artists.

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Natyanjali from March 13

CUDDALORE: 

         The annual Natyanjali festival will be held on the premises of the Sabanayagar temple (Natarajar temple), Chidambaram, from March 13 to 17.

           President of the Natyanjali Trust A.K.Natarajan told TheHindu that this would be the 29th edition of the dance festival. During the five-day event dancers from India and various other countries such as Australia, France, Sri Lanka and Singapore would perform classical dance forms like Bharatha Natyam, Kuchupudi, Mohini Attam, Kathak, Odissi, Sattriya, Manipuri and Chaau. In all, 450 applications were received by the trust and after scrutiny 55 performers and dance schools had been selected. On the inaugural day, the event would start with devotional music followed by the performance of the students of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Annamalai University. Padma Subramaniam and students of Nrithyodhaya, and Sandip Mallick were slated to perform Bharata Natyam on the first day. The group performers would far outnumber the individual performers.

               For instance, the students of the Natiya Kala Mandir -- Sri Lanka, Sri Nataraja Natyalaya--Chidambaram, Rama Nataka Niketan --Secundarabad, Bharatanjali Nrtyalaya--Mumbai, Nrityopasana--Neyveli, Padmam School--Bangalore, Parul Devi & troupe — Imphal, TriNetra Chhau Dance Centre — Jharkhand, Nathan School of Dance — Ahmedabad, Bharatha Kalalayam -- Chennai and so on would render their performance during the course of the fete. Mr. Natarajan said if it were a troupe a fair number of dancers would get the chance to perform. He further said that about a couple of years ago, the Poduhu Dikshithars imposed restrictions that the dance performance should not go beyond 10.30 p.m., because the temple rituals would get over by that time. However, courtesy demands that both should be informed about the programme. Following the tradition a Podhu Dikshithar would preside over every day's event. Mr Natarajan further said that it was proposed to celebrate the next year event--30th anniversary—in a grand manner and also to bring out a souvenir delineating all classical dance forms.

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