Geeta Chandran’s disciple Anandita Narayanan gives an accomplished recital

Anandita Narayanan

Bharatanatyam dancer Anandita Narayanan presented a recital titled ‘Aarohanam: Steps of
Discovery’ on 30th September at IIC in Delhi. Below is the press material about her training and the performance:

Anandita Narayanan

Anandita has been learning Bharatanatyam under Guru Geeta Chandran’s tutelage at Natya Vriksha since the age of eight. She has been the beneficiary of a national scholarship under the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, Ministry of Culture, since 2014 and has thus been performing at various prestigious events across the country over the past eight years.

Anandita started the performance with a five-beat cycle Khandam Alarippu, which was an offering to God, her guru and the audience.

This was followed by a nine-beat Sankeerna Jatiswaram in raga Purvi Kalyani. In the jatiswaram, repetitions stay within the framework and yet evoke joy with that routine. This jatiswaram was in adi talam, but delivered in Sankeerna nadai, an eight-beat cycle delivered in a nine-beat rhythm: a test for both the musicians and the dancer. Counter-rhythm is often used in Bharatanatyam, and in this jatiswaram this was beautifully portrayed.

At the heart of Aarohanam was the soulful Vanajaksha Varnam in raga Bihag. Describing beautifully the beauty of Lord Krishna, the lyrics evoked admiration while the choreography included intricate jatis interspersed with sancharis that brought to the fore varied aspects of the Lord’s life.

It portrays the anticipation for his blessings in the vast ocean of bhavasagaram, the awe-inspiring moments of Kaliya damanam, where Krishna effortlessly tamed the mighty serpent Kaliya, and captures the enchanting power of the divine music that flows from Krishna’s flute, captivating even the Yamuna itself, which changes its course upon hearing it. It also depicts Krishna's unparalleled beauty, surpassing that of one crore Kamadevas.

Following this was a Mirabai bhajan titled ‘Baso More Nainan Mein’ in which the devotee expresses her unwavering devotion to her beloved Lord Krishna who, she says, not only serves as a friend to his devotees but also bestows eternal happiness upon saints.

Anandita concluded her performance with a thillana in raga Hindolam invoking Lord Shiva. The thillana is a dance of joy, a celebration of the grandeur and kinetic energy that defines Bharatanatyam.

 

It showcases complex footwork patterns juxtaposed with alluring body postures inspired by traditional Indian sculptures and iconography. It is one of the finest aspects of Bharatanatyam and celebrates the joy of rhythm and movement.

 

Varun Rajasekharan on ghatam, Manohar Balatchandirane on mridangam, Anandita's guru Geeta Chandran on nattuvangam, K. Venkateshwaran on vocals and G. Raghavendra Prasath on violin

 

Pics: Anoop Arora