Classical dancer Aswathi K won hearts with her mature dance rendition

Aswathi K, a disciple of Shijith Nambiar and Parvathy, won the Junior Kalavaahini Scholarship, which offers mentorship by Malavika Sarukkai for a certain period of time. For her performance at this year’s edition of the Dance for Dance Festival, she chose K.N. Dhandayuthapani Pillai’s pada varnam, ‘Saamiyai azhaitthodi va’ in Navaragamalika, Adi, which has plenty of scope to elaborate.

Aswathi is a promising young dancer with a presence and maturity beyond her age. A strong orchestra backed her — Udaya Sankar Lal (nattuvangam), Binu Venugopal (vocal), P.K. Sivaprasad (mridangam) and Easwar Ramakrishnan (violin).

The dancer was backed by a strong orchestra  
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Special Arrangement

The beautiful nayika feels the onset of spring, the season for romance, and yearns for her soulmate ‘Eesan (Shiva). She establishes the nayaka when she describes his procession and the many variations of his regal walk. In ‘Mamadi mugamo’, she expanded on the viraha she suffers from. Easwar’s Mohanam set the mood and Binu’s tanam added to it. The moon’s rays scorch the nayika’s body and she cannot bear to see the blossoming flowers and the bees buzzing around them. Aswathi’s abhinaya style, a mix of mukhaja and angika, and explained with metaphors, influenced her delineation. The dancer was convincing in her portrayal.

The anupallavi ‘Tamadam’ was taken before the dividing jathi, an unusual step, though the song continued in the same vein.

Aswathi’s footwork and timing were impressive, and one could hear the distinct sound of her bells with every beat. The lack of araimandi was, however, of concern. She should not be using space-covering movements at this stage of her career. The music was most enjoyable, and the orchestra was fully in sync with the dancer throughout.