It was an evening of unique celebration to recognise artistes who render aesthetic and bhakthi-oriented music - Natyam and Pravachanam. ‘Vidya Tapasvi Award’ instituted by Tapas’, a temple of fine arts, is the much sought-after award, which was presented this time to Gopika Varma (mohiniattam) and OS Thyagarajan (Carnatic music), Embar Kasturi (Pavachanam. Several ‘Bhakthi Prachara Sanman’ awards were presented to a host of music and dance artists of repute.
All credit goes to Aswin Iyer and Balayogi, whose contribution to the cause of spreading Bhakthi is immeasurable.
The presentation of dancer Mahalakshmi Aswin’s ‘Lava-Kusa’ was full of serenity and grace. The ambience at the Tapovan Hall of Chinmaya centre, and the presentation at Tapas - the temple of Fine Arts, showcasing some of the best talents of the institution, had a gracious beginning.
The sequencing of the episode Lava-Kusa, indicating the entry of the family of Raghuvamsa, the revelation that Lava-Kusa are the children of Rama, integrating music and movements with gentle agility was a treat to watch.
When the episode ended with an abject surrender of Lava-Kusa to Rama, it encapsulated the mood with its tempo and feel. The dancers’ performance was aesthetic. The lyrics of Aswinkumar Iyer, composed by Srirengachary and choreographed by dancer Mahalakshmi Aswin, the dance-drama, allowed viewers to enjoy at different levels. Particularly, when the dancers merged with the music and dance, there was a stillness among the audience.
The story certainly acquired a ‘life of its own’ with uniformly good performance, showing great propensity.
The orchestral music led by Mahalakskhmi Aswin (choreography and Nattuvangam), Sai Sabapathy (vocal), Suresh (violin), Raghavendran (flute) Nagai Nagendran (mridangam), Jayakumar (special effects), gave colour and mood to the strong choreography and turned out to be a good entertainer that enthralled the audience.