Dances of the divine

“Mantra” at Road no.12 Banjara Hills was on the weekend the scene of a short but scintillating Bharatanatyam recital by Kiranmayee Madupu, the student of the renowned senior guru Hemamalini Arni.

The idea of having a classical dance programme in a Boutique Store displaying exquisite Bronze Idols with a micro coating of pure gold was an interesting concept. It was as though the gods themselves were present in the form of stunningly beautiful pieces of art watching the artiste enact their attributes and stories.

The sparkle of the dance matched the glitter of the shining Images. An exquisitely wrought Icon of Lord Vishnu reclining on Adisesha was the centrepiece. In a brief introduction, the artiste explained that in ancient times the sculptors who practiced the art of chiselling the images of deities were said to belong to the “Vishwakarma” community.

Kiranmayee started with an Invocation to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles " Vatapi Ganapati " in Hamsadhwani. The description of the god was well brought out in picturesque stances punctuated with brisk jathis. She briefly explained the salient features and the meaning of the lyrics of each composition she performed.

The second piece was the ‘Ardhanareeshwara Shlokam’ composed by Adisankaracharya. Here the complementing and contrasting aspect of the divine couple Parvati and Parameswara blended together are arrestingly and lyrically brought out being praised in alternate stanzas.

There is presented the juxtaposition of the creative and destructive aspects of the duality.The scented flowing locks of the goddess are contrasted with the matted locks of the great ascetic.

The last item was " Bhavayami Gopalabalam " a Keertana by Annamacharya. The child ‘Krishna’ is charmingly depicted. His tinkling anklets and his mischievous pranks are shown. His mother Yashoda scolds and tries to discipline him but is astounded by realising that he is the Lord of all.

By Anna Rao