From Sankara Natyalaya ‘Aadhi Saivam Arooran’, held at R.R. Sabha in Chennai
| Picture Credit score: B. VELANKANNI RAJ
Curated costume, compelling storytelling, applicable character choice, well-chosen props, and dynamic dance strikes — ‘Aadhi Saivam Arooran’ had all of it. As a part of the eleventh anniversary celebration of Sankara Natyalaya, this thematic manufacturing, based mostly on the lifetime of Sundaramurthy Nayanar, was offered by its college students. It was conceptualised and choreographed by Kanaka Krishna Prashant. The songs have been drawn from the Periya Puranam and Sundarar Thevaram. Extra credit for the night go to G.V. Guru Bharadwaaj for his jathis and assist on the mridangam, T.V. Sukanya (violin), and Sowmya Ramesh (veena). The useful resource individuals have been R. Subramaniam and Uma Subramaniam.
The thematic presentation highlighted how the Tiruvarur Temple is thought not just for Shiva and Parvati (Neelotpalambika) but in addition for Shiva’s pricey good friend, Sundaramurthy Nayanar. As soon as, whereas Sundarar was within the backyard plucking flowers, he meets two ladies, Anandithai and Kamalini, and is immediately drawn in the direction of them. Shiva, conscious of this, grants Sundarar the chance to be born on earth and fulfil his need. In response, Sundarar says, “How can I go away you? You could shield me on the proper time.”
The efficiency had attention-grabbing group formations
| Picture Credit score:
B. VELANKANNI RAJ
The presentation was rigorously segmented, and earlier than every episode, a bit of lady in a pavadai-chattai and her grandmother, carrying a nine-yard sari, (performed by the scholars) narrated the story via their dialog. The segments additionally featured fast-paced strikes with intricate formations, all carried out in synchrony.
Sundarar, born to Sadaiya Nayanar and Isaignaniyar in Thirunavalur, was recognized for his distinctive magnificence and was adopted by king Narasinga Munaiaraiyar. When Sundarar grew up, the king organized for his marriage. Therefore, on the marriage day, Shiva appeared disguised as an outdated man, holding a palm leaf, which acknowledged that Sundarar was certain to serve him. Deciphering this as a divine command, Sundarar cancels the marriage and dedicates himself to the service of the lord on the Tiruvarur temple, starting his first poem with the phrases ‘Pittaa pirai chudi’.
The costumes, props and choreography have been spectacular
| Picture Credit score:
B. VELANKANNI RAJ
Props and costumes have been key options within the thematic presentation. An revolutionary contact was when the dancer, portraying the outdated man, entered from the principle door of the R.R. Sabha auditorium.
Depicting Sundarar’s journey
The next sections of the thematic presentation depicted Sundarar’s journey throughout Tamil Nadu, visiting Shiva temples. In Tiruvarur, he falls in love and marries temple dancer named Paravayar (Kamalini in earlier beginning). Years later, whereas visiting the Shiva temple in Thiruvottriyur, a coastal suburb of Madras, Sundarar is enamoured by a peasant lady named Cankali (Anandithai in earlier beginning). With Shiva’s assist, he marries Cankali, vowing by no means to go away her or Thiruvottiyur. Nevertheless, eager for Paravayar, Sundarar breaks his vow and returns to Tiruvarur. Because of this, he turns into blind. His subsequent hardships are mirrored in a number of Thevaram hymns. Via his devotion, he ultimately regains sight.
In a scene that includes demons, the younger ladies have been spectacular. In segments that relied solely on expressions, the dancers conveyed effectively the feelings.
The thematic presentation concluded with the ultimate chapter of the story, the place Upamanyu, the kid of Vyaghrapada, follows Sundarar on his journey to Kailasha, incorporating thillana into the dance strikes. In response to the Periya Puranam, Upamanyu narrates Sundarar’s story.
