A Perfect Storm!

Is how Srinivas Ambati described the circumstances leading up to his daughter, Shrunothra San’s Arangetram. I believe the storm which started at the Casey Theater in Weston, MA on Septermber 15^th at 4:00 pm, soon picked up pace and while it had the force of a hurricane, it washed over the spell-bound audience like gentle mist, refreshing and pleasant. Yes, the overall effect was amazing, but that word does not describe the evening. Shrunothra’s mastery over the nritta (rhythmic rendition) and her grace were both evident on and off the stage. Earlier in the day, I met a very calm and confident girl in the dressing room, who stood there with stoic elegance as many women fussed over her dress, hair and makeup. On the stage, she displayed great poise, not letting anything or anybody steal her peace! When on stage, she held her own, under every circumstance. Her maturity and poise, manifest in her performance made a great impression on me.

The evening began, atypically with her 10 year old brother Shrujal singing an invocation. As adorable as that performance was, I was taken aback by Shrunothra’s acceptance of sharing the limelight with her sibling. Not many 14 year olds are up for that. Then, accompanied by New England’s who’s-who of music, Tara Bangalore on the violin, Durga Krishnan on the veena, Gaurishankar Chandrashekhar on the mridangam, Bhuvana Ganesh’s dulcet voice paved the way to a melodious, soulful and perfectly orchestrated performance.  Kudos to Guru Meena Subramanyam on the stellar performance. Both Meena and her accomplished sister Roja Kannan conducted the nattuvangam and accompanied Bhuvana with vocal support.   The exquisite choreography was rendered beautifully by Shrunothra’s perfect adavus.

With much enthusiasm and stamina, Shrunothra began her recital with a traditional Pushpanjali and Thodaya Mangalam. This one depicted the many incarnations of Lord Vishnu. This was followed by Subramanya Kauthuvam where Shrunothra displayed her grasp of abhinaya (expression), depicting the virtues of Lord Subramanya. After this, Shrunothra once again displayed her expert footwork with a crisp rendition of Jathiswaram in Mishrachapu talam. The change in talam truly enhanced the unique choreography and gave Shrunothra a chance to display what perhaps is her greatest strength. Her Nritta is truly flawless and so thoroughly enjoyable.

At this point, the ensemble entertained all with most divine music when Shrunothra went to change for the Varnam.

In a 35 minute Varnam that tested Shrunothra’s endurance, she dazzled the crowd with a depiction of the many faces of the Mother Goddess. She had the audience riding the tide along with her as she portrayed Gods, and demons and the beautiful, victorious Mother. The picture-perfect blend of nritta and abhinaya created a storyboard that resonated with the powerful stories Shrunothra depicted. After the break, Shrunothra moved on to the Keerthana and Devaranama part of the repertoire. She was the playful Krishna (Naada Murali), Bhagyada Lakshmi, bestower of fortune and the bhakta invoking the Goddess to appear like butter as the bhakti is churned slowly within the devotees.  Shrunothra then frolicked through a day of the devotees carrying Kavadis and singing praises of the one with matted hair that is home to the holy Ganga!

Shrunothra performed a very unique Thillana. The couplet at the end was dedicated to Rukmini Devi Arundale, the visionary founder of Kalakshetra. Dedicating the end of her recital to the woman who shot the dance form to its present heights of glory is a great way to honor the art. Shrunothra, that way, is the most thoughtful child I have had the pleasure of meeting and knowing. Soft-spoken and mild mannered, this 14 year old also donated all the cash gifts she got to her favorite charity AIF.  In the end, yes, her Arangetram was the perfect storm that drenched the audience in madhura rasa!

~Pallavi Nagesha

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