Ratna Venkat –
Sumedha Hariswamy, a disciple of Renuka Ketheesan’s Auckland based dance school ‘Sai Natyalaya,’ presented her Bharata Natyam Arangetram at Dorothy Winstone Centre, Auckland Girls Grammar School, on Saturday, August 1.
Though this marked the 15th occasion for the Guru, Sumedha’s graduation ceremony was first of its kind in New Zealand in many respects.
Margam Format
She presented 10 items in the more-or-less ‘Margam’ format, including Stuthis, Padams, a unique Kauthuvam saluting one’s mother, and a folk dance in praise of Lord Murugan.
Her Guru’s creative choreography displayed a balance between the typical and the not-so- typical, either through some unconventional movements, or through the use of space and direction, not often seen in traditional Bharata Natyam performances.
Practitioners of this classical dance often dote on the richness and diversity of their art form, and will further agree on the vast scope it offers when introducing contemporary innovation, yet at the same time, staying true to the classical nature.
Sumedha’s Arangetram was reminiscent of this fact, through items such as ‘Ganesha Stuthi’ and ‘Thisra Alaripu.’
Unusual Item
Another unusual item was ‘Murugan Stuthi,’ not in the song itself but in the way in which it was presented. Sumedha was joined by her elder sister Soumya Khotkar in this item.
An Arangetram usually means that the student’s prowess as a solo performer is judged by the audience. However, by performing this particular dance as a duet, Sumedha also proved her competence as part of a pair. The act, which was in perfect synchronisation like a mirror image, was a delight to watch for many in the audience.
Among the members of the Orchestra who came from India were Bhavani S Kishore Kumar (Vocal), Neelamani Ramakrishnan (Mridangam), J B Sruthi Sagar (Flute) and Shubha Santhosh (Electric Veena). Guru Renuka Ketheesan provided the Nattuvangam.
Besides her imaginative choreography, her rendition of certain Jathis should be commended as many of them were long and complicated to recite.
Her voice was powerful enough to complement Sumedha’s footwork and execution of movements.
Photo :
- Sumedha portrays ‘Valli’ in this folk dance
- Varnam, the centre-piece of Bharata Natyam Arangetram
