ARUNA GANDHI’S PASSION FOR BHARTANATYAM ART EVIDENT IN HER PRESENTATION OF “KRISHNAARPANAM”

By Raj Natarajan

I received an invitation from an organization called Silambam-Sydney, a premier institution of performing arts, founded by dancer – choreographer Aruna Gandhi. The invitation was for a dance drama called ‘Krishnaarpanam’ a production in Bharatanatyam to launch Silambam’s 10th anniversary celebration to be staged at the University of NSW, Science Theatre.

I was not sure what to expect and I thought this dance drama will be similar to all other Bharatanatyam dance programs I have attended. I was in for a pleasant surprise because when Aruna Gandhi spoke at the beginning of the program to introduce the dance drama and welcome the gathering, her passion for the art of Bharatanatyam, an age-old art form born in the temples of South India, was evident.

Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest and most popular forms of classical dance that originated in Tanjore district in Tamil Nadu in South India. The origin of this dance can be traced to the sage Bharata Muni’s Natyasastra. This dance used to be taught by Nattuvanars (dance gurus/teachers) and was originally practiced by a group of temple dancers called the Devadasis who danced regularly during important festivals, ceremonies, and also at the time of worship in temples.

This art form saw some decline when India was under colonial rule but was revived by Rukimini Devi Arundale and E. Krishna Iyer. Both of them were dancers as well as activists. Rukmini Devi Arundale established a cultural academy called Kalakshetra (which means holy palace of arts) to revive the traditional arts of India. The Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama of India, confers classical status on eight dance forms of India:

1. Bharatanatyam,
2. Odissi,
3. Kuchipudi,
4. Manipuri,
5. Mohiniyattam,
6. Sattriya,
7. Kathakali, and
8. Kathak.

Out of these eight, four originated in South India and they are Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam and Kathakali.

Aruna Gandhi, has been contributing, over the last ten years, to the Australian arts sector by spreading the rich cultural heritage of India.

Krishnaarpanam, is a thematic dance production featuring scenes from ‘Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum’, the much acclaimed dance-drama from the early 90’s in India. It is a beautiful narrative weaving together the most attractive lilas or playful pastimes from the life of Lord Shri Krishna.

With music direction by Carnatic maestro, Padma Bhushan Vidwan Madurai N. Krishnan, concept & original choreography by Padmashri Prof. Sudharani Raghupathy, this production from the 90’s has been revived and adapted with revised and new choreography for the dancers of Silambam-Sydney by Aruna Gandhi who is a senior disciple of Prof. Sudharani Raghupathy

Krishnaarpanam commences with the Dasavatara stotra from Jayadeva’s Gita Govindam that describes the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, followed by verses from Krishna Karnamritam that glorifies the music from the flute of child Krishna which enchants the whole universe. We then trace the life of Shri Krishna from his childhood, as the darling of Vrindavan and his sweet lilas with mother Yashoda and all the cowherd girls, the lifting of Govardhan hill to protect His devotees, the beautiful Raas Lila dance with the Gopis and His wedding with Rukmini.

Seen through the eyes of sage Narada, Andal and Meera, Krishnaarpanam is woven together with verses from Krishnaashtakam, Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam along with songs of many composers.

I sat there spell bound, for almost 2 hours, like all others in the auditorium enjoying the soulful spiritual experience of “Krishnaarapanam”, a visual poem dedicated to Lord Sri Krishna. Aruna Gandhi’s young students seem to match their passion for Bharatanatyam with that of their teacher. All the dancers performed with flawless co-ordination exhibiting the fruits of months of practice as they danced beautifully to the rhythm of carnatic classical music. Aruna Gandhi herself leading the young dancers on the stage was a picture of focus and devotion as she matched the raga, tala and bhaava of the accomplished singers who rendered some the popular songs of the famous composers.

It is undoubtedly one of the finest dance dramas I have witnessed in Bharatanatyam style and congratulations to Aruna Gandhi and her young students. I am sure we will be seeing more such shows choreographed by Aruna Gandhi enhancing the vibrant Indian cultural contribution to Sydney in particular and Australia in general.