Artistes constantly need to reinvent and adapt themselves to the changing sensibilities of the audience. Aayana Dance company from Bengaluru has done so, successfully. ‘Dhruva and Ellige’ two works conceptualised by Aayana Dance Company was presented on the concluding day of the Yagnaraman centenary celebrations at Sri Krishna Gana Sabha.
From the outset, the group packed in enough energy into the performance, which was a delightful mix of colour, light, music and movement. It began with a Valmiki Namana and a Vayu pushpanjali in raga Nattai, with a powerful imagery of movements to evoke the dynamics of wind. Lighting played a crucial role in the show.
| Photo Credit:Courtesy: Aayana Dance Company Seated under two spotlights at either side of the stage, two artistes through intense abhinaya drew parallel between Hanuman and Tyagaraja — the two ardent devotees of Rama. The chosen line was ‘Vegara karuna sagara’. They are soon joined by a group of dancers and together they explore the kriti ‘Vandanamu Raghunandana’.
But the constant presence of a large group of dancers on stage made for a monotonous viewing. Entries and exits should be streamlined in group productions. Hanuman Chalisa was noteworthy for the group formations and powerful footwork.
The lines in the Chalisa that talks about fighting fear were highlighted to apt lighting and make up. Group formations lent an edge to the choreography| Photo Credit:Courtesy: Aayana Dance Company ‘Ellige’, which deals.