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Breaking of a new dawn

YaminI
Last Updated 28 January 2013, 15:20 IST

Year after year, on the eve of Republic Day, a beautiful tradition relives in the open air auditorium of IIMB.

This year too it did! In continuance with a rich heritage, Bangaloreans relished the treat presented by some of the best classical music and dance maestros of the country.

Yamini 2013, the dusk-to-dawn festival organised by Spic Macay, enthralled a crowd, Indian and foreign, from six to 60 and well beyond, to their hearts’ content.

The cold night, notwithstanding, the connoisseurs and art lovers sprawled on the green lawns under the dark night sky.

It was indeed a testimony to the fact that all is not lost and classical arts continue to live in the hearts and minds of many.

The evening began with the bharatanatyam recital of Malavika Sarukkai. She began her performance with Pushpanjali, which demonstrated the transition from cosmic cycle to human cycle.

The rhythm of the feet and that of the music, in harmony, created a spiritual ambience. Before every piece, she explained in great detail what she intended to showcase.

She then presented Mareechavatham — verses from Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas — which were set to beautiful music. The narrative came to life as the story progressed.

 “Let’s walk the path of the story once again,” said Malavika and went on to perform the piece to a delighted audience. It began with Ram and Sita living in exile in the forest and how Sita is enamoured by the forest and the nature. As she gathers flowers from the forest, she spots a golden deer, which is in fact Mareecha.

Sita points out to Ram— “Great Lord, there is a bewitching deer and I would like to have it’’.

The deer takes Ram deep and deep into the forest and thereafter, the story takes a turn...  
Malavika described dance as ‘dynamic meditation’ and how the rhythm beats in the heart even after the concert is over.

Her next piece was a Jawli based on the ‘The Bird Song’. It was about a bird or rather the spiritual progress of pilgrims in Benares. With metaphors and poetry, she transformed the stage into another world.

 This was followed by the all-so familiar Thumak Chalat Ramchandra..., a bhajan written by Tulsidas. In fact, she asked the audience whether they would like to watch Thumak... or Thillana and the audience screamed for Thumak.

Thereafter, she presented it. Kausalya, who is in her palace, hears little Ram coming and rushes to meet him. The performance showcased her affection for Ram in a bewitching manner.

The audience were seen singing along with the bhajan. Moments later, she wrapped up her recital with Vande Mataram paying obeisance to mother Earth and the nation.

But the night was still young and the rest of the doyens continued to regale the audience.
The performances included Carnatic violin recital by Lalgudi Gir Krishnan and Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi; mohana veena by Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt; Hindustani vocal recital by Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar and Carnatic vocal recital by Bombay Jayashri.

Considering these maestros had a mark in the international scenario too, it was a night of national pride as well.

While the children also took the occasion to play in the company of nature and stroll in the green laws, the audience were heard remarking how meditative an experience it had been!

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(Published 28 January 2013, 15:20 IST)

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