ST LOUIS: When Master of Ceremonies, Shubha Subbarao asked Elizabeth Nellamattathil, a college student from Chicago, to say a few words for a much younger crowd, during the Soorya Youth Series, she said,” if you love something, you will make time for it. I love my dance; I find time despite my hectic study schedule”. Her words really tied well into the expressive performance that she gave.
Feeling this need, Soorya Performing Arts came up with the “Soorya Performing Series for Young Talent”. It has invited many young artists in the past. Its recent Fall-2014 series, held here on November 15, included three highly talented artists from Chicago. A solo Veena concert by Ms. Divya Pariti, a disciple of Rajaveena School of music, Chicago; a Mohiniyattam performance by Ms. Elizabeth Nellamattathil (a disciple of Aanada Dance Theater); Ms. Vidya Govind (a disciple of Natya Dance Theater).
Young Divya Pariti, disciple of Guru Rajeswari Pariti, played Veena with a confidence and the music was very vibrant and colorful. She presented “Mayaatheetha swaroopini” in raga Mayamalavagowla, followed by “Subramanyena” in raga Shuddha Dhanyasi. Her brilliant strokes of Gauda Malhar were very melodious. Her creative performance was
highlighted in the elaboration of Kalyani through alapanam, thana and later swara vistara. Divya showed her prowess in the instrument in this solo performance. St. Louis Native Ramakrishna Neti accompanied the recital on the mrudangam.
Elizabeth started her Mohiniyattam performance with a composition of the 18th century Tamil poet Oothukkadu Venkata Subba Iyer’s Pranavakaaram Siddhivinayakam, which was followed by an expressive Jagadhodhaarana, in which she portrayed the mischievous nature of young Krishna very effectively.
Her best performance showed up in the Kaminimani, in which Sakhi finds out where heroine has been, by continuous questions. The heroine finds excuses for her disappearance (which happens to be a love plight after meeting her beloved Lord), but her lips let out the truth in the end. As a youngster, Elizabeth showed great maturity in presenting this piece. Her presentation of the Bible based Magdalana Marikyam was good introduction of Biblical stories into a Hindu Mohiniyattam. Choreography of Guru Janaki was laudable as well as the quality of the music.
Vidya Govind, disciple of Guru Hema Rajagopalan, began her recital with a crisp presentation of Mallari, followed by a second half of Varnam – Suma Sayaka. Her Nritta was very clean and Abhinaya was rendered well through sanchari Bhavas (moving story lines) based on stories of Gajendra Moksha and Kaliya mardana. She presented Narsi Mehta’s Gujarati poem depicting the negative nature of Lord Rama in doubting the purity of his wife Seetha and putting her through the test of fire (Agni Pariksha).
Vidya’s portrayal of feminine anger was very visible in a subtle way and went to great heights in this program. Her presentation of Javali – Nee maataley, was pretty impressive. She portrayed a dejected, disappointed personality of an enraged woman very efficiently. Her Tillana brought out some of the salient features of her Guru Hema’s style of Nritta and it was very pleasing.
In the other part of the show, students of Soorya Performing Arts presented some wonderful pieces. Samanvita Kasthuri presented beautiful footwork in her presentation of solo Kathak piece. Music students of Soorya Music School were very melodious and performed classical music pieces with great ease.
The youth series by Soorya performing arts was supported by parents of Soorya Dance, Music and Yoga School; by funds received from Missouri Arts Council (MAC), a state agency of State of Missouri; Regional Arts Commission (RAC) – a city organization of St. Louis and may other patrons. The event was ably supported by many volunteers and was attended by more than 200 art patrons.
Guru Prasanna Kasthuri
Thank You For Your Vote!
Sorry You have Already Voted!
