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Distracted by rhythmic nuances
Malavika Sarukkai... beautiful like a sculpture.
PERFORMING FOR Kartik Fine Arts, Rajeswari Sainath presented a new Varnam, a composition addressed to Hari and Hara, set in Adi Tala-Khanda nadai, a composition of Kumbakonam Gajendran. The Jati patterns for this piece composed by Karaikkudi Mani were well-handled by Rajeswari, exhibiting hard work in the area of Nritta and its intricacies. The lyrical content had enough scope for abhinaya and episodic narrations. However the lengthy lyrics lacked crispness. Rajeswari's depictions for the lyrical content were apt but dramatised. Also her nritta did not have the essential features of grace or beauty in movements, a deficiency the danseuse preoccupied with the complexities of the rhythmical nuances could not attend to. Rajeswari presented the Varnam with enoromous confidence especially the Nritta sections. The second section of the varnam had sparkling arudi endings, danced with vigour by Rajeswari. Nellai Kannan (mridangam) and Murali Parthasarathy gave ample support.
Sculpturesque
When Malavika Sarukkai appeared on the stage, it was like a sculpture coming alive. Her supple physique, clad in a very elegant combination of red and gold costume, created a striking picture of visual beauty. Malavika commenced with an invocatory number, after which she proceeded with the Varnam, the main stay of the recital. It was a composition (by Sri Seshadri), addressing the all-pervasive Vishnu, in His manifestation of Krishna. The music set in the raga, Varamu, by Meera Seshadri was pleasing. Bhagyalakshmi's rendering of this raga, (which has close resemblance to Hindolam) quite often bore a strong resemblence to Hindolam.
Malavika's youthful energy and vigour came out beautifully in the neat execution of the Nritta passages that were presented with total grip. However, she disappointed one in the abhinaya portions of the varnam with a vague approach.
Rajeswari Sainath... evidence of hard work.
Her depictions for the eternally blissful Lord and His mysterious ways did not rise up to the standard. And Malavika's signalling instructions to the audio technician was not in good taste. Bhagyalakshmi gave excellent vocal support, assisted by Sikhamani (Violin), and Ranganathan (mridangam). A. S. Murali conducted the recital with a calm and confident approach.
NANDINI RAMANI
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