By Radhika Jeyaraman
Shiva Thathva Natya Vaibhavam,’ the dance ballet presented by the dancers of Sri Uma Maheshwara Nruthya Kalakshethra at Kalamandira recently, portrayed the nuances of Bharatanatyam in a very expressive and exhaustive manner. The wonderful expressions and gestures with synchronised steps brought out the ‘navarasas’ in all their splendour and was a cynosure of all eyes. The Physical Embodiment and Majesty of Lord Shiva — the Perennial source of inspiration for all dancers — was enacted in symbolic gestures very gracefully by the dancers who bought alive the spirit of ‘Bhakthi’ in all the royal glitz and grandeur. The narrative about “Bhakta Markandeya” inspires us to be devout. The narrative about Kannappa Nayanar who showered his unflinching sentimental and emotional bhakti on Lord Shiva was captured well in the wonderful steps by the performers, thus creating an ‘aura’ of a mesmerising world of devotion.
