Stories told through movement

Roopaka Vaibhava, an evening of dance-drama, was conducted recently to commemorate the 36th anniversary of Natya Niketan.

The programme showcased the different dance styles of the students through a variety of pieces.

Kicking off with a delightful pushpanjali, the evening progressed with pieces like Mushika Vahana in raga naatai in adi tala; Jathiswaram in raga hamsanandi in rupaka tala; and En Palli Kondeeriah, Jagan Mohanatana and Parkadal Alaimele in raga malike set in adi tala.
After this part of the programme, the evening moved on to honouring the chief guests and introducing the performers.

Other pieces included Swagatham Krishna in ragamohana in thishra adi tala; Ashtalakshmi in raga malike in adi tala and thillana in raga dhanashree set in adi tala.

Each of the pieces, which were different in their styles and origin, showcased the
students’ flexibility and talent.

The students of Natya Niketan say that they have learnt a lot from the experience.

Karuna Kirtivasan, a ninth-grade student, says, “I’ve been learning dance for seven years and it is an integral part of my life now. This is the fourth anniversary programme I’m participating in. Each experience has brought me a long way.”

Karuna adds that they had to practise for a month to attain group co-ordination and a lot of effort went into the show.

Shreya Balaji, a first-year architecture student, says that balancing studies and practice was a challenge.

“But when one is passionate about something, they are able to make time for it. Every piece we do is unique. Thus, one has to dedicate a lot of energy to each,” she
comments. Shreya adds that since the teachers and the whole team were very co-
operative, the end result turned out to be wonderful.

Mohana Krishnan, a dance connoisseur, was amazed by the different pieces that the students put together.

“To see such talent from youngsters is a blessing. In today’s society, where even parents take more pride in salsa and other western dance styles, it is nice to know that tradition still lives,” he smiles.

Combining dance and drama to portray mythological stories is a comparatively new format, but a very successful one, feels Arundhati Thimmiah.

“Who doesn’t like stories? And when they’re shown through such beautiful  representations, there is nothing better,” she says.