Bhava takes centre stage in Anjali Hariharan’s Bharatanatyam performance
The Hindu
Choreographed by Anita Guha, Anjali Hariharan’s dance included a thoughtfully curated repertoire of bhakti‑laden kirtanams, expressive varṇams to a graceful tillana.
Anjali Hariharan, a senior disciple of Anita Guha, presented a bhava-rich recital, at Narada Gana Sabha mini hall recently.
She began her performance, for Natyarangam, with an energetic nritta, set to tune by Venkateshwaran Kuppuswamy. This was followed by a keerthanam ‘Shringara lahari’, composed by Lingaraj extolling goddess Mathangi, in raga Nilambari. The keerthanam describes the goddess as an embodiment of compassion and grace.
The dancer showcased her prowess | Photo Credit: S.R. Raghunathan
A composition by the Thanjavur Quartet ‘Karuna juda’, a varnam in raga Atana, tala Adi, was taken up next. The kriti is about a viraha nayika who expresses her deep longing to unite with the supreme lord of Thanjavur. However, the bhakti rasa, predominant in the piece, added beauty to the depiction.
The choreographer’s expertise was evident in the handling of the sancharis — her interpretation of the ceremonial procession of the deity, wherein Anjali took on multiple roles such as the awestruck devotee, the men carrying the idol and the majestic appearance of the lord .
