ALARMEL VALLI - AS GOOD AS IT GETS

Alarmel Valli, who needs no introduction to Bharatanatyam lovers, gave a sparkling performance, under the aegis of Kartik Fine Arts at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

Clad in a peach and pink costume, she began the performance with an invocation to 'Shakti' in the form of Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga. She danced to the tune of the well-known 'Haya Giri Nandini'. The brisk pace of the dance was just a glimpse to what was to follow in the rest of the programme. Each segment, describing the attributes of the Goddesses, was depicted with matured artistry.

She proceeded to do the main piece 'Varnam' in Ragam Kapi, set to Adi Tala composed by the Tanjore Quartet and the musical score of Maharaja Swati Tirunal. The Varnam dealing with the oft-repeated theme of the heroine longing for the lover-devotee depicted the sensual as well as the spiritual aspect of the separation - The hurt and pain due to the rejection by her lover, relate to the anguish of the devotee seeking the Lord. The item narrates the beautiful union of the Nayika and the Lord. The Nayika says, 'Oh! Lord Brihadeeshwara, I want to seek refuge in the hurricane of life, I want to seek the bliss of our union in the enchanting beauty of the season of Spring.' Alarmel Valli handled this unique varnam in her usual effervescent manner, characterised with lengthy and brisk thirmanams (A set of rhythmic steps). The short jumps to the front of the stage at the end of each thirmanam, was typical of her style. Her incredible stamina during the spirited Varnam was commendable.

Instead of an intermission after the Varnam, there was a brief melodious interlude by the violinist for the evening, Kalaiarasan and Flautist Srinivasan, who equalled the high standards set by the dancer of the evening. Alarmel Valli chose to present two items from the Sangam mythology in the second half of the show. The musical score was set by Prema Ramamurthi. She presented three poems depicting three varied emotions. The sancharis (elaborate imaginative depiction of a sequence of events) were vividly portrayed. The second segment dealing with the feeling of 'desolation' was poignant. The heroine says, 'On a cold wintry night I cannot stand the solitary tinkle of the bell that is tied on the horns of the bull standing near by. The solitude is unbearable. Who is there to heed to my woes?' The creative use of showing the bell ringing, from the orchestra, enchanced the mood of the piece. The vocalist for the evening effectively modulated her voice, which helped accentuate the lyrical meaning. The third segment was dealt with in total contrast where the heroine says, 'Oh friend! Do not try to comfort or console Him. I cannot bear His torments, let us not make any vows, If he thinks he is so brave, so be it, let us forget him.' The next item was 'Jeevanam Jeevanamrutham' taken again from Sangam mythology. The poem uses water as a metaphor of life. Life which gives us Knowledge, Wisdom, Joy, Sorrow, Loss and Gain. The item ended with a shloka. The meditative beginning, with a gradual build-up, and the variation in the tempo of the orchestra for certain lyrical passages were superb.

She concluded the programme with a crisp Tillana composed by Lalgudi Jayaraman set to Ragam - Mishrmaand, Talam-Adi. Valli revealed her skill in aspects of rhythm with equal energy and spirit and danced effortlessly. Her brief explanations at the beginning of each item helped enlighten the audience.

Orchestral support - C.K.Vasudevan on the nattuvangam, Vocal - Latha Ramchand, Mridangam - Shaktivel, Violin - Kalaiarasan and Flute - Srinivasan.

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