Description
Based on the compositions of Vidwan Lalgudi Jayaraman
Concept, script, direction, storytelling: Gowri Ramnarayan
Lalgudi Jayaraman (1930-2013) had a unique attribute: a visual imagination. He painted characters and settings on his mindscreen as he composed his music. His compositions became the auditory forms of the visual scenarios he imagined. He found greater freedom to do this by opting for ragas never used before for the genres he chose.
That is how his jatiswaram in Raga Rasikapriya depicts a shipwrecked couple exploring an uninhabited island, the varnam in Charukesi follows a woman deluded into playing hide- and-seek with the lover – who has never left her side! The tillana in Pahadi has a God dancing on the mountain, protecting nature and the environment, to nourish body and soul.
My script and directorial design grew out of listening to the master bowman’s music from childhood. My understanding acquired more dimensions when I interviewed him and reviewed his concerts as a critic (The Hindu). Now JustUs Repertory combines dance, music and storytelling to recreate the visual scenarios for the music as imagined by the composer. We also roam with him through the village scenes of his childhood which inspired him in his life and music.
Credits
Concept, script, direction, storytelling: Gowri Ramnarayan
Choreography Design: Gowri Ramnarayan
dance: Anjana Anand, Tharini Shanmugarajah and Bhavya Kumaran
lighting design: Sneha Sheejith
RECORDED MUSIC
vocals: Nisha Rajagopalan | violin: Shreya Devnath | flute: JB Shruthisagar
nattuvangam, mridangam: Sheejith Krishna
recorded, mixed & mastered by Sai Shravanam, Resound India
Yamuna Kalyani Thillana by Lalgudi Jayaraman, choreographed and performed by local dance teachers:
Smitha Magal, Ami Majmudar, Brinda Ramasubramanian, Priya Gajaananan, Sukanya Chand and Suneetha Ravindran.
Recording Credits
Ashwath Narayanan – vocal
Sheejith Krishna – nattuvangam & mridangam
Easwar Ramakrishnan – violin
JB Shruthi Sagar – flute
Recorded, mixed & mastered – Rakesh Pazhedum, Sahrdaya Sound Studio
Artists’ Profiles
Gowri Ramnarayan
Playwright, theatre director, translator, journalist (formerly Deputy Editor, The Hindu), Dr Gowri Ramnarayan vocally accompanied the legendary Carnatic musician MS Subbulakshmi, authored and translated books, published Dark Horse, an anthology of her plays, and served on the Fipresci Jury at international film festivals. She is now Artistic Director, JustUs Repertory, Chairperson, Rukmini Devi Arundale Trust, and Adjunct Faculty, Asian College of Journalism, Chennai.
Anjana Anand
An alumna of SIFAS, Singapore, and Kalakshetra Foundation, India, Bharatanatyam dancer Anjana Anand is now a founder/faculty member of Sahrdaya Foundation. Serving on the guest faculty of Milapfest Dance Intensive camps (UK, Singapore) and Navadarshana (US), Anjana has authored A Grammar of Dance, based on the Tamil epic Silappathikaram.
Tharini Shanmugarajah
Tharini Shanmugarajah embodies the rich legacy of Bharatanatyam, steeped in tradition yet dynamically evolving with each performance. Hailing from a lineage of esteemed dancers and educators, Tharini’s journey into the world of dance was nurtured by her mother, Kalyani Shanmugarajah, a dedicated disciple of the renowned Sarada Hoffman, revered for her mastery of the Kalakshetra style. Since 2008, Tharini has been under the tutelage of her guru and mentor, Sri. Sheejith Krishna, Director of the Sahrdaya Foundation in Chennai, whose guidance has shaped her artistic expression and refined her technique.
Tharini is a passionate advocate for dance education and preservation, serving as the co-director of the Kalapeetham School of Dance in Los Angeles. Her dedication shines through as she imparts the intricacies of Bharatanatyam to eager students, nurturing a new generation of dancers within the Kalapeetham family.
Tharini’s artistic prowess has graced prestigious stages worldwide, leaving an indelible mark on audiences. From her solo performance at the esteemed Spirit of Youth Festival in Madras to collaborations with renowned artists like Mythili Prakash for the world premiere of “MARA” at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood, Tharini’s artistry transcends borders. Her duet performances alongside Sheejith Krishna have garnered acclaim across the U.S. and Canada, showcasing the seamless fusion of tradition and innovation. Additionally, her involvement in productions such as Sheejith Krishna’s “Don Quixote,” which toured the U.S. highlights her versatility and commitment to excellence.
Beyond Bharatanatyam, Tharini’s artistic journey has been enriched by her exploration of ballet and Carnatic music, embodying a holistic approach to her craft. Her academic pursuits further underscore her dedication, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in dance from California State University Northridge.
Bhavya Kumaran
Bhavya Kumaran is an Indian American dancer and choreographer of the classical South Indian art form, Bharatanatyam. Often praised for her perfect form (arai-mandi), svelte movements, and sense of rhythm, Bhavya is a celebrated and respected young dancer of today.
Born and raised in Chicago, in an extended family of performing artistes, Bhavya started learning the art form at the age of four from her mother Sowmya Kumaran, founder and artistic director of Nrithya Sangeeth, a school for performing arts. She had her “ascending the stage” (arangetram) solo performance in Chennai (2011), and since then has been regularly performing solos and duets with her mother, at prestigious venues across the US and India. Her unbridled enthusiasm for the art form is visible in her performances and captivates audiences. Bhavya currently also receives guidance from senior dancer and choreographer Lavanya Ananth.
Bhavya’s extensive performance experience includes essaying diverse roles in several Natya Natakams (thematic dance plays) under the direction of renowned choreographers from India and US. She herself has choreographed and staged dance productions on various platforms investing in creating innovative, exciting choreographies that appeal to the younger generation of dancers without forsaking the traditional principles of the dance form. She is an original member of Anubhava Dance Company, a team of North American born dancers who stage performances regularly.
Bhavya is the recipient of a number of awards and accolades. She won the Sri Gutty Vasu Memorial prize at the Spirit of Youth dance festival (2022) conducted by the Madras Music Academy. She is the youngest winner of the Sri Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai award given to the best dancer in the Cleveland Aradhana dance competition (2012). She has been conferred the titles of Natya Chudar (2022), Yuva Kala Bharathi (2017), Taruni Kala Vipanchee (2014) by different India based premier dance organizations to highlight her contributions to the performing arts.
