As part of the horizon series of performances, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan, Mumbai, presented Mohiniattam recital by accomplished danseuse Ayswaria Wariar at Rangaswar Y.B. Chavan Centre, last week. Besides the lyrical elegance, the performance was also noteworthy for its comendable “abhinaya”(expressions)
Blessed with amazing stage presence and large expressive eyes, it indeed was a visual treat to watch the dancer, dancing with complete involvement and dedication.
Ayswaria commenced the programme with the invocatory Ganapatiye, seeking blessings from the elephant-headed god. The Ashtapadi, an extract from the immortal classic Jaydev's Geet Govind, Natha Hare, incorporates the emotional state of Radha, as she longs to meet Krishna. Further on Maya Mohanam in Mohana Ragam, a composition by Kavalam Narayana Panicker, portrays the complete character sketch of Lord Krishna, depicting the pranks of child Krishna, the game of dice with the climax of Draupadi Vastraharanam, Gajendra Moksham and Lord Krishna as the saviour of all mankind, preaching Geetoopedesham. The number was almost in the format of the varnam, hence revealed the dancer's expertise over the essential aspects of dancing, with the high degree of expressional quality, that kept the audience spellbound.
Having learnt from great mentors like Kalamandalam Saraswati and Udyogmandalam Vikraman, Ayswaria has evolved her own style of dancing, that is quite captivating. The programme had to be reduced being a rainy day.
Ayswaria recieved fine vocal support from Shivaprasad, mridangam by Shaktidharan, Edakka by Nambisan and Flute by Kumar Krishna. On the whole it was a programme of both substance and structure. It is indeed a nice gesture on the part of ICCR, to showcase the talent of empannelled artists.