CHENNAI: They danced like two bodies and one soul. Priya S Dixit and Prabha S Dixit, disciples of Padmasri Sudharani Raghupathy, together presented a classical dance performance titled Tris Tridha (meaning myrmidon of motif, myth and mysticism and thrice three) under the auspices of Vipanchee in a jam-packed R K Auditorium housed inside Sivaswamy Kalalaya School, Mylapore.
The hour-and-a-half long performance was like the Chicken Soup for the Soul — restoring one’s faith in the many small rituals that we follow on a routine or occasional basis, and strengthening one’s belief in the Supreme Supernatural whom we call upon as the Divine Mother — Shakthi — the Holy Trinity of Parvathi, Lakshmi and Saraswathi, signifying valour, wealth and prosperity and knowledge respectively.
The duo presented five different scenes; the first one on Parvathi, the quintessence of Adbhuta rasa, the epitome of Shringara rasa, and the legend of how She unifies with Lord Shiva as Ardhanareeswara, as His consort. The second scene was about how Lord Vishnu, on seeing Sri Lakshmi, places Her in His heart. The goddess of wealth, whose eight forms as the Ashtha Lakshmi is worshipped by devotees who show their devotion and gratitude through rituals during the harvest season, and also for wealth and prosperity.
The third scene on goddess Kali was about how her form originated. The duo portrayed the scene where Kali, pleased with Tenali Raman’s penance, appears before him and laughs heartily at his innocent expressions (Hasya Rasa). The fourth scene was on Karumariamman; a very popular Goddess associated with the rains and has several mystic practices associated with her. It is a common sight at Her temple festivals for people to walk bare foot on glowing embers. The significance of the Neem is associated with the goddess.
The fifth scene was on Goddess Saraswathi, the deity of education, the epitome of Shantha Rasa, the consort of Lord Brahma. The practice of worshipping books, musical instruments and appliances we use on a daily basis on the day of Saraswathi puja is in practice even today.
Beautifully combining the Trinity and encompassing all the Navarasas, carefully intertwining them with common spiritual practices, that exist even today, Priya and Prabha effected the technicalities of the classical form Bharatanatyam excellently with a slice of varied cultures — be it showing a glimpse of Kolkata for Kali or the folk for Mariamman.
Priya is a student of music — vocal and instrumental. She has learnt music from Madurai Sri N Krishnan (Padma Bhushan) and veena from Kalaimanani Pitchumani Iyer. Prabha has also learnt music from Madurai N Krishnan (Padma Bhushan). The duo has performed abroad, taught and even choreographed dance sequences.