Colours of Krishna by the extremely well turned out danseuse Vani Ganapathy was an amalgamation of popular performed compositions describing the leelas of the most loved deity in Indian Dance – Krishna.
This performance was presented by the Brahma Gana Sabha at the Shivagami Pettachi Hall on Jan.5, 2014. It is very heartening to see the senior dancer present an evening concentrating on the Abhinaya aspect with minimalistic Nritta through the invocatory piece and the Thillana including a short Jugalbandi “gatt”.
The expressionistic evening began with “Bala Krishna “through the lyrics of the famous Vishamakara kanna, in which Vani portrayed the naughty pranks of Krishna. Ranging from the butter stealing to tying the gopikas plaits to the bed post to hiding their clothes to harassing them on the streets all of them were highly entertaining, specially the prank in which he asks the young girl in the neighbourhood to sing the mukhari raga and when she pleads inability he pinches her hard to make her wail in pain, this is the raga I wanted to hear he laughs. It’s compositions like these that visually paint animated pictures of naughty Krishna. Vani’s delineation of all this was appreciated by the audiences who were in splits at the humour in the piece.
Shringara Krishna ” was presented through the lyrics of Melattur Kashinathayya’s indendu vachithivira alladani illu ee vidhi kaadu po po ra. The javali brings out a khandita nayika who is initially angry at Krishna for straying to another woman’s house eventually asking him return the next day too. Vani presented a very aesthetic and mature version of the intimate times spent between the nayika and Krishna.
It was the Rakshaka Krishna in the meera bhajan Tum bin more kaun khabar le that Vani had the audiences in tears. The episode of draupadi being disrobed was dramatic which is the hall mark of the Rajarajeshwari Bharatanatya Kala Mandir style.
The thillana followed by Sakha Krishna depicted through the Bhagvad Geeta episode. Vani did complete justice to the histrionics required to depict the philosophical exchange between Arjuna and Krishna.
Vani chose to wear a costume that included the pastel shades of the peacock feather that represent Krishna and I must say that the young dance community can take a lesson or two with regard to costumes and specially make up from Vani Ganapathy. She has in the past done a course with the make up genius Mike Westmore. All in all Vani is without doubt one of the most aesthetically turned out artists amongst many. While she has impressed audiences with her dance these aspects have contributed a great deal to her success.
Vani was accompanied by Pulikeshi – Nattuvangam, Balasubramanya Sharma – vocal, Lingaraju – mridangam and Mahesh Swamy – Flute.
The world within..........&........out 