The performance of dancer Uma Sathyanarayana, a disciple of danseuse Chitra Visweswaran for Karthik Fine Arts, was strikingly good, with proportionate blend of skill and commitment. Uma had good stage presence, firm footwork and a confident approach to both the Viruttam and Abinaya. She was at ease while executing the adavus.
Uma opened with ‘Pushpanjali’ in Raga ‘Ghambeera Nattai’, followed by ‘Kali Kautvam’ in Raga Hamsadwani (Khanda Chappu) revealing that the Devi is the kinetic energy of the universe. She did this with an innate confidence and a passion for the art. The endearing freshness of her presentation contributed to her easy and natural manner on stage was evident on stage.
Highlighting the various facets of ‘Shakthi’, Uma then took up ‘Thana Varnam’ in ‘Ranjani’ Raga of G N Balasubramanian. This is when the devotees realize that ‘Shakthi’ is the mother of all ‘creations’ and the creator of flora and fauna, the five elements in nature. It was very well executed through a ‘vintage’ concept of choreography.
Of the Ardhanareeswara, we were able to appreciate both the dynamism of contemporary choreography and the old world charm of the earlier era, when time and patience was plenty.
The ending item ‘Ya Devi Sarva Bootheshu’ an ode to Shakthi, was presented with admirable sacredness, except one felt that the artist, could have taken few more stanzas to highlight the uniqueness of the Goddess.