Dear Friends,
Guru Shanmuga Sundaram rose to the occasion to give KL-ites a compelling two-day bharatanatyam recital of the Vazhuvoor Sampradaya on 18 & 19 May, 2024.
Shanmugam performed a series of expressive works themed ‘’Rasanubhava” at Amphi-Sutra where seventeen years ago he once performed a solo bharatanatyam recital.
In Rasanubhava, the audience was invited to drink in the rich gamut of life experiences through rasa/abhinaya.
True to his Vazhuvoor Bani, Shanmugam gave an elegant and noteworthy rendition of works from the Vazhuvoor maestros. The dances gave insight to the different shades of flowers of the same ‘tree’ of this wonderful Sampradaya which had produced so many great dancers. (How simple and clear our lives were then!).
Shanmugam commenced with a jewel of a kirthanam ‘Ananda Nartana Ganapatim’, depicting the Tandava dance of Ganapathi, a composition of Padma Shri awardee, Chitra Visweswaran.
Next, Shanmugam proceeded to perform the quaint classic ‘Mandukasabda’ of Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai.
He then presented his piece de resistance – a Varnam, Innum En Manam in raga Charukesi on Krishna, a composition of his beloved guru, KJ Sarasa. This is a signature varnam of KJ Sarasa which was given a lease of new life by Shanmugam retaining the balanced architectonic structure of what a Varnam should be.
He concluded his recital with a touching Devaranama ‘Baaro Krishnayya’ describing the devotee beckoning the adorably naughty child Krishna to come to him – a beautiful dance composition of the late KJ Sarasa.
Clearly, Shanmugam has benefited well from his mentorship with Smt Chitra Visweswaran and has evolved to another level of artistry. Guided by a sensitive and experienced Guru such as Chitra Ji, Shanmugam has been able to achieve a firmer grounding and assuredness in his interpretation.
We must take the opportunity to applaud Guru Shanmugam who has diligently worked on empowering trans-gender dancers. They have recently charmed audiences in several national dance festivals. Through the generous and courageous efforts of Shanmugam, the trans-gender community has found
empowerment through bharatanatyam. A positive development for the LGBT community indeed!
Right from the start Shri Shanmugam has eschewed sensationalism common in the present younger generation of dancers, obsessed by the instant gratification of the social media.
On the other hand, Shanmugam is refreshing as his dances allow the audience to savour the pristine world of yonder days when bharatanatyam and the Indian classical dance were a more ‘simpler’ and authentic experience. Clearly, Shanmugam is a connoisseurs’ choice and not for those seeking instant ‘moksha’ on stage.
Indeed, the dance world that Shanmugam represents is a different world altogether!
Ramli