Shivah Saktya Yukto: A Captivating Celebration of Shiva, Shakti and Bharatanatyam
Lalithakalalaya School of Bharatanatyam, under the direction and guidance of its Guru, Smt Padmalakshmi Sriram, recently presented a captivating Margam performance by its senior students. Entitled “Shivah Saktya Yukto – The Ineffable Genesis of Creation,” the production explored the eternal union of Lord Shiva and His consort, Goddess Shakti, through the rich vocabulary of Bharatanatyam.
Smt Padmalakshmi Sriram has established a reputation for her creativity in choreography, thoughtful costume selection, inclusive approach to teaching and disciplined training. These qualities were evident throughout the performance. Her considered selection of music and carefully crafted choreography gave each dancer an opportunity to display their individual skills while contributing to the overall narrative of the production.
A particular highlight was the Varnam, traditionally the most elaborate and demanding item in a Margam. The first section brought to life two stories centred on Lord Shiva, while the second portrayed Lord Natesha performing the cosmic dance. The choreography gave the dancers considerable scope for expressive abhinaya, and several dancers were particularly impressive in their ability to transform from one character into another with remarkable ease and clarity, bringing the stories vividly to life.
The performances by the adult students were also noteworthy. Their presentations, including Pushpanjali and Aigiri Nandhini, demonstrated confidence, agility and grace. Their participation reflected Smt Padmalakshmi’s commitment to nurturing dancers at different stages of their artistic journey and providing each student with opportunities to develop and showcase their abilities.
The other items in the Margam — Ganga Alarippu, Thirukoneshwarar Kauthuvam, Shakti Thandavam, Kalabhairava Ashtakam, Theruvil Varano, Thillana, Dheena Karunakarane Nataraja and Ardhanarishwara Stotram — were presented with equal care and contributed to the richness and variety of the evening.
The visual appeal of the production was enhanced by the vibrant costumes worn by the dancers. The colours complemented the choreography and added to the grace and finesse of the presentation. Particularly refreshing was the costume worn by the most senior batch. It successfully introduced a contemporary touch while retaining the essential elegance and traditional character of the Bharatanatyam costume.
Another commendable aspect of the production was Lalithakalaya School’s decision to engage local artists for the accompanying orchestra. This provided talented musicians within the local community with a valuable platform to perform, gain exposure and further develop their skills. Their contribution added greatly to the quality and atmosphere of the evening.
The orchestra comprised Smt Priyadarshini Swaminathan on Vocals, Shri Ruddra Dorairajan on Mridangam, Shri Ashwin Narayanan on Violin, Kumari Vindhyavasini Sureshchandra on Veena and Shri Sharujan Mahendraraj on rhythm pad. Their collective contribution helped make the performance a memorable musical and artistic experience.
Adding another dimension to the evening was Guru Smt Padmalakshmi Sriram’s nattuvangam, which demonstrated her growing mastery and confidence as a nattuvangam artist. Her rhythmic command provided a strong foundation for the dancers and reflected the depth of her involvement in every aspect of the production.
“Shivah Saktya Yukto” was a celebration of Bharatanatyam, artistic discipline, inclusivity and the wealth of talent within the local community. Congratulations to Lalithakalalaya School of Bharatanatyam, Guru Smt Padmalakshmi Sriram, the dancers, musicians and everyone involved in staging yet another well-organised and culturally enriching programme.
