Alarippu - Dance Choreography & Concept: Nirmala Madhava

Описание: From Nirmala Madhava creative director PAMPA Dance Academy…

I felt that in these very trying times I wanted to post something that signifies unity, courage, strength, harmony, and peace. This item, that I had choreographed for PAMPA dance academy's 20th anniversary, does exactly that.

Alarippu - the invocatory item of any traditional Bharata Natya recital - literally means "Blossoming Forth". It is a Nrtta item, purely technical without any emotive element. This particular alarippu was originally created as a salutation to the sun and owes its elements to the Suryanamaskara or Sun Salutation in yoga. It also incorporates the Shanti mantra or peace invocation, propitiating gods in all 8 directions. It slowly introduces the three main elements of the body - the head & neck, the torso, and the lower body - as the item unfolds.

I have recreated this item in a very unique manner. I have used a 7 beat cycle and incorporated two groups of dancers - one group depicting the yoginis from the ancient ashrams and the other group depicting traditional Bharata Natya dancers. I have adapted three slokas from the Navagraha stotra and the Upanishads in this item, thus enhancing the atmosphere of deep spirituality. The first sloka, Japaa kusuma, is a salutation to the sun and is from the Navagraha stotras. The second sloka, Sahana vavatu, is from the Upanishads (Taittriya, Shvetaashvataara, Maandukya, and Kathopanishad) and is a Shanthi mantra, encouraging all of us to work as one towards a better life. The dancers are praying for protection and harmony for their teacher and the universe. The third sloka, Om Purnamadah, from the Upanishads as well (Brihadaranyaka and Ishavasya Upanishads), is a statement that as we all strive to attain union with the divine, we actually are all part of that divinity. Please enjoy!

I would like to wish a good luck to those who were kids during this 2012 performance. I am so proud to see them head off to college.

Dance Choreography & Concept: Nirmala Madhava
Music: Praveen D Rao
Nattuvangam: D.V. Prasanna Kumar, Mridangam: Gampalahally Gurumurthy
Thanks to all musicians
Video Editing: Bindu Madhava
Technical Team: Purna Prasad, Sudheendra Tumkur & Bindu Madhava