Few artistes have the flexibility to carry that further spark to conversations. Lakshmi Viswanathan was one. A wonderful dancer, scholar and author whose tongue-in-cheek repartee and sense of humour endeared her to many, off the stage too.
To commemorate her reminiscence, Lakshmi’s sister Sujaya Menon lately organised ‘Woven Words’, a night of conversations and abhinaya periods. The present was anchored and offered by Priya Kakkar and Madhumati.
Pavithera Lingedra
From the garlanded portrait on the entrance to a easy floral setting on stage by Kiran Rao, the aesthetics have been in tune with Lakshmi’s tastes.
The programme started with a prayer by Samanvitha, adopted by three audio system sharing their insights on Lakshmi’s artwork and life. Jeetendra Hirschfeld, a long-time affiliate and a collaborator on her analysis work in later years, spoke about Lakshmi’s scholarship and artistic journey. A small video clipping of her educating methodology was proven.
Jayanthi Subramaniam carried out a Kshetrayya padam
Dancer Sharadha Narayanan shared her private experiences with Lakshmi, each as a buddy and an artiste. Lakshmi was recognized for her abhinaya prowess, and Nityakalyani Vaidhyanathan gave a gorgeous discuss on the nuances of abhinaya. She then demonstrated the 4 methods through which a dancer might method a single line.
Vaishnavi Srinivasan and Nivedhita Harish carried out the Huseni Swarajathi ‘Emayaladira’
The dancing session started appropriately with the Huseni Swarajathi ‘Emayaladira’ that Lakshmi had taught two younger dancers Vaishnavi Srinivasan and Nivedhita Harish, disciples of Roja Kannan. The edited model gave a glimpse of the natyam of yore that Lakshmi was so keen on — she had even designed the costumes to mirror that interval. Vaishnavi and Nivedhita have been spectacular, each within the nritta and abhinaya segments .
Avijit Das
‘Theruvil Varano’, a padam composed by Muthu Thandavar bringing out the feelings of a lovelorn nayika, was rendered by Pranathi Ramadurai. Lekha Prasad’s depiction in myriad methods of a hen in flight after which cajoling and conversing with it in ‘Paingili vannan’ in Tilang was endearing.
Showcasing her capability to speak a spread of feelings by means of mukhabinaya was Jayanthi Subramaniam within the Kshetrayya padam ‘Valapudasa’. It was a mature portrayal as she danced with finesse at a leisurely tempo, a becoming dedication to Lakshmi.
Lekha Prasad
The emotional turbulence that Radha experiences is the essence of the Ashtapadi ‘Nindati chandana’ and Pavithera Lingendra introduced it out effectively.
The night concluded on a vibrant word with a Kuchipudi rendition of the Sarangapani’s Kalyani raga composition ‘Chittike vesithe’ by Avijit Das, the one male dancer of the night. The flourish with which the plaited hair was tossed again, the nonchalance of Krishna and the lilt within the physique actions made his presentation engrossing.
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Published – March 18, 2025 07:25 pm IST
