Dancer-Yugal Nirupama and Rajendra saw Ramayana again in ‘Ram Katha Vishmaya’

Recently from the thematic production ‘Ram Katha Visamaya’ presented by Nirupama and Rajendra in Bengaluru. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Ramayana, an ancient epic, has been retired through various art forms for centuries, especially classical dance styles such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Odissi. In recent times, many dancers have continued this tradition by presenting Ram’s story to life on stage in new and attractive ways. One such production was ‘Ram Katha Visamya’, a complete-flamboyant performance, curate and presented by dancers-couples Nirupama and Rajendra. Staged at Chaudih Hall in Bengaluru, this production showed about 60 artists from the innovative dance company.

The pair was telling Krishna as a story to the epic as a story. When she arrives in the sequence where Ravana kidnaps Sita, Little Krishna suddenly comes out of his bed and shouts, ‘Soumitri, my bow and arrow bring’, shocked and confused Yashoda. According to Nirupama and Rajendra, this moment, Leela was drawn from Sukar Krishna KernmirWhere Krishna remembered his past life as Rama, inspired him to come up with this thematic production.

Colorful costumes (by Rajendra), vibrant light design (by Ajay Vijendra), choreography that includes diverse styles, music scores from classical to folk, and grand sets and LED projections have been added to the appeal.

The presentation began with a group of peacock feathers and a group of boys, which highlights the common link between Rama and Krishna with a group of bow and arrows. His dynamic structures and movement for this section, leading to the introduction of Rama, were choreographed efficiently. A brief depiction of the previous incarnations of Ram by Rajendra was interesting. And Nirupama discovered her dramatic skills, which was with faith in her role in the form of Sorpanakha.

In one corner of the stage, Yashoda continued his statement for Krishna – harassing the protectors, being deprived by Rama and Lakshmana, after Rama broke the Shiva Danush, after Ram Swamvaram, The Promise of Ram, Laxman and Sita’s entry) kidnapping Sita.

There were also some interesting sections. For example, in Sita kidnapping scene, Ravana’s duality was strongly portrayed. Ravana is usually depicted as a sage as a sage, who demands alms, only to disappear in his royal, royal form and re -evaluate. But, here, the differences were creatively presented as the two dancers appeared on the stage and went perfectly to express the idea that the two people were actually, not another separate.

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Ravana’s beginning was so far another riveting visualization. In completely dark, the glowing mask (used to indicate the ten faces of Ravana) began to roam on the stage, gradually the incarnation of a ten-headed king before settling in a formation behind the dancer.

A group dancer in ‘Ram Katha Visamaya’, who was dressed as flowers and birds, represented Dandakaranya Jungle. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Even the scene about Rama’s exile was dealt with differently. Instead of the general depiction of grief, which attachs the people of Ayodhya when Rama leaves for his exile, the dancers have demonstrated happiness and reverence, with which Dandakaranya welcomes him when he enters the forest. However, the appearance of a group of dancers, dressed as flowers, trees, birds and animals, who were constantly moving on the stage, were disturbing and looked a bit amateur.

The purpose of production was to incorporate elements that would attract a broad audience, but the origin of Rama’s character and story was lost between a hurry of activity on the stage. A moment of reposation could greatly increase its effect.

Credit: song Ashtavadhani R. Is by Ganesha. The music is by Praveen D Rao. He connected various sounds, and Swara pattern in such a way that he matched the speed of choreography. But one wished a few moments of peace to offset high energy levels for greater impact. The direction and views are by Vinod Gowda, and. Artistic direction and choreography by Nirupama and Rajendra.