Sri Rajarashwari Bharata Natya Kala Mandir (Mumbai) presented the Bharatanatyam Arangetram of Janaki Unnikrishnan at the exquisite Opera House auditorium in Mumbai on 9th August. Charming Janaki performed selected items from the Bharatanatyam repertoire, commencing with the Vinayaka Stuti and concluding with the Sindhubhairavi Thillana, attracting attention of the select audience with her pleasing performance.
Janaki is the disciple of Guru Harikrishna Kalyansundaram and the daughter of Anand Unnikrishnan and Kavita Gunderia and seeking guidance in this divine art form, since the age of seven. Academically Janaki is the student of Grade 11 of the Bombay International School, pursuing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme with Economics, Global Politics and Mathematics and is interested in History, Literature and enjoys western vocal singing.
The Shanmukhapriya Jatiswaram was a fine combination of music, melody and rhythm and Devi Kriti was in praise of the goddess Rajajrajeshwari. A composition of Muthuswamy Dikshitar. The Varnam incorporated the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu performed with effortless ease and elegance, composed by Guru Harikrishna Kalyansundaram. Narsinh Mehta composition”Mehulo Gaaje” described the divine dance of Lord Krishna with the Gopis in Vrindavan.
Gopalkrishna Bharathi composition described the cosmic dance of Lord Nataraja in Chidambaram, with a powerful belief that chanting the name of Lord Shiva, even once, can lead one to liberation. This number was performed well with the inclusion of the ‘karanas’ by Janaki, portraying he grandeur and the majesty of the Lord. Janaki concluded with the Sindhu Bhairavi Thillana. With better concern towards the technical and finer aspects of dancing, one can definitely expect a better performance.
Fine orchestral team consisted of Guru Harikrishna Kalyansundaram for nattuvangam, vocal by Dr Somia Nedungadi, mridangam by Vedakrishnaram, violin by Udupi Srijith, flute by Hariprasad Subramaniam and Veena by Mudikondan Soumya. Established in 1945, Rajarajeshwari is among the oldest dance academies in Mumbai and would celebrate their 80th year of fruitful contribution with several students becoming professional performers on the international platform.
