Neythal – the continental shelf
On 19th February 2011,
along with my son I went to Esplanade Theatre Studio with a mixed feeling of
what awaits me. We were guided to our seat. Within few second of our arrival
the concert commenced.
There was a short and a compact introduction
to the accompanists. The first piece was
PUSHPANJALI
Lavanya entered the floor like a
proud peacock ready to steal our heart. Yes she did. Her mudras were perfect
and precise. I enjoyed the way the water followed in her arms – elegant and it
seemed effortless. The way she changed from the sun mudra to a lamp was an
excellent transformation on hand work.
KAANAL VARI
The first part, Lavanya portrayed a
man missing his beloved. In the second part, she portrayed a lady missing her
beloved. The way she portrayed a man’s sorrow was different from the lady’s
sorrow. Her expressions were admirable.
ASHTAPADI
In this piece Lavanya described
Matsya and Kurma avatharam of Maha Vishnu. In Matsya avatharam the way she
described the fish growing from a small fish to a big size was very clear.
In Kurma avtharam her expression
depicting the dialogue scene between asuras and devas was excellent. The
churning expression of the asuras and devas working hand in hand for amirtham
was mind blowing.
NEYTHAL KALI
Lavanya depicts a wife in Neythal
region who awaits a husband’s return from the far land. Her heart pines for his
attention and care as she missed him for a long time. She imagines how her
husband will embrace her on his arrival, how he will shower his love on her.
She decorates herself with ornaments. At that time she realizes her bangle as
become too loose as she has not been eating well. While applying kajal her mind starts
wondering again. Finally she scolds her feeling trying to bring it under
control. Her expression was outstanding.
COASTAL FOLK DANCE, AFRICAN POEM
& THILLANA
The music was excellent. Veena
sounded more like a western instrument. Lavanya’s
movement showing boat ride was exceptional. The way she threw her net and
carried her catch at the end of the day was brilliant. Thillana was superb.
After performing for one and a half hours she still had stamina for the final
piece.
I really enjoyed the show, so did
everyone in the theatre studio.
The vocal artist Mrs. Vanathy was an
outstanding singer.
Miss Lakshmi on nattuvangam did a
great job.
Mr. Vedakrishnan’s work on mridangam
and tabla was tremendous.
Mr. Gokulakrishna’s fingers on
violin and flute played exceptionally well.
Mrs. Banumathy, what can I say, made
the ocean enter The Esplanade so smooth and subtle that we were drowned at the
end of the show.
We were able to feel the sorrow, the
love and the happiness of the people of Neythal. Hope to see other kinds of
feeling in her next performance. Lavanya is not only is a seasoned dancer.
Having been born in the coastal town of Mylapore,
Chennai and brought up in the coastal city of Singapore, it is amazing that she
understands the coastal life centuries ago. She is very lucky to have such
great family to support her. May the good Lord bless her with more laurels and awards.
Anita Sangaran