To relive the feeling of oneness and love, Society for the Upliftment of National Arts of India (SUNAINA) presented ‘Krishnamayee Meeraandal’, a ballet which was a beautiful blend and fusion of two dance forms, Kathak and Bharatanatyam to bring alive the divine love stories of Meera and Andal – devotees of Lord Krishna.
Conceptualised by Kanaka Sudhakar, a Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer, and performed on August 27 at India Habitat Centre, this ballet was presented in association with Guru Jitendra Maharaj who choreographed and directed the Kathak dance to recount the life and times of Meera. The direction and choreography of Andal was by Guru Sudhakar.
The character of the child Andal was played by Sadhvi Sunderesan, the young Andal was played by Aparajita Sarma, a senior disciple of Kanaka Sudhakar and the elder Andal was played by Guru Sudhakar himself.
Whereas, little Meera was played by Adhya and the elder Meera was played by Kathak dancers Nalini and Kamalini, senior disciples of Guru Jeetendra Maharaj. The USP of this ballet was the fine blend of music of the two dances, which was rendered by singers Pragya and Vijayashree.
The ballet showed scenes from the two stories – birth of Andal and Meera, their childhood, their young days and their ultimate union with Lord Krishna. The performance dedicated to Andal by the dancers was sheer poetry in movement complete with perfect techniques of Bharatanatyam and evocative expressions.
The performance of the dancers playing Meera was equally praiseworthy, appealing and mesmerising. Through their dance, they recanted the story of Meera, how she got attracted towards the idol of Krishna and became his most ardent devotee and follower.
The ballet ‘Krishnamayee Meeraandal’ which ended with the marriage procession of Andal and the Bhakti procession of Meera successfully presented the grand saga of love and devotion of Meera and Andal for Lord Krishna.
