The magic of javalis
Concept & Presentation by Priyadarsini Govind
Concept & Presentation by
Priyadarsini Govind
‘Itu sahasamulu’
-Saindhavi-Adi-Swathi Thirunaal
A mugdha nayika proffers excuses to her lover and promises of better times
‘Samayamidhe gaadhura’
-Mayamalava gowla-Roopaka- Chinnayya
A parakiya nayika hurriedly turns away her clandestine lover
Samayamidhe ra ra’
-Bihak-Roopakam-Patnam Subramanya Iyer
The furtive invitation from a parakiya nayika to her paramour
‘Apathuru kulo naithine’
-Kamaj-Eka talam-T Pattabhiramiah
Subjected to the ridicule of people around, an abhisarika nayika bemoans her fate
‘Yela vachitivey’
-Navroj-Trupuda
“How did your feet carry you away from your beloved? Don’t you know how much he suffers on account of this separation?”- is the sakhi’s poser to the heroine.
The multiple aspects of love involving different heroines in different situations have been aesthetically presented by‘Padmabhushan’ Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan, (‘Maami’ - to her students)the legendary abhinaya exponent.
Aided by four lively Javalis from the repertoire of well-known composers, ‘Maami’ explores the torment and turbulence, the fears and fancies, the desires and dilemmas of the lovelorn women.
She does it with a tilt of the head and turn of the eyes backed by the hands that fold and unfold in various shapes and styles depicting countless characters, objects and emotions. It is a unique language; a magic conjured up a medley of meaningful lyrics, mellifluous music and a matchless artiste described by natyashastras as ‘abhinaya!’
