Of dreams and musical storytelling

Radha Reddy and Raja Reddy of Natya Tarangini organised a great evening of music and melodies titled ‘Swappnam’ at the Kamani Auditorium recently. A trance which left the entire audience refreshed and enthused, Swappnam was a grand musical journey into the hypnotic realms of the mind.

The Classical Bharatanatyam Dance

Theatre Production was conceived by Krithika Subrahmanian, who is trained since the age of seven in the pure lineage of the Tanjavur Pandanallur Bani of Bhartanatyam under the tutelage of Padma Shri Dr Sudharani Raghupathi.

She handpicked competent classical dancers from all over India along with various vocalists such as T V Gopalakrishnan, Sudha Raghunathan, Sharreth, Rajashree Pathak, Abhishek Raghuram, Bharat Sundar, Vasudha Ravi and Poornima Sathish.

Diversifying the various realms of imagination and creativity, Swappnam indulged the audience with a unique storytelling technique, in order to make them realise the importance and value of a peaceful sleep for ‘dreaming big and aspiring high’.

Speaking about its conceptualisation, Subrahmanian tells Metrolife, “Having done in-depth research on the concept for more than a year, I have come across the conclusion that dreaming is very important for all creative minds. All creative thought
processes can spring only through imagination, especially amongst our high-spirited youngsters.”

The event marked prolific Indian film composer, Isaignani Ilayaraaja’s, first ever full-length musical composition for a classical dance production.

These performers gave voice to (Isaignani) Ilayaraaja’s meticulously arranged notes in lilting symphonies, ballads, soulful padams and powerful operatic overtures.

According to Ilaiyaraaja, “Swappnam – the title is very vast. It encompasses all emotions of children, the aged, romance, the aspirations and many more.”

Meanwhile, this was also Subrahmanian’s first ever performance in the capital. Elated at the welcoming response from the audience, she says, “Being the hub of art and culture, Delhiites have a very intelligent approach towards creativity and performing arts. I am honoured by the way they have received my performance.”

From enchanting lighting arrangements to the exquisite dance costumes worn by
all the performers, Swappnam left everyone awestruck with the magnificence of the dreamy world of imagination.