Sinam Singh Basu and Monica perform at the Smriti festival at Kalakshetra in Chennai | Photo credit: M. SRINATH

It was a breath of fresh air to escape the world of Bharatnatyam to watch a Manipuri dance performance. Sinam Singh Basu, a Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar award winner, and his wife Monica presented short compositions at the Smriti Festival of Kathak Darpan at Kalakshetra in Chennai recently.

The audience was moved by Sinam Singh’s words at the beginning of the performance. “The ethnic clashes have been going on for over 25 months now. Houses have been burnt down and many people have become homeless. People have lost their livelihoods. Therefore, I request you all to pray that peace will return to the beautiful state of Manipur.”

Sinam’s graceful movements | Photo credit: M. SRINATH M

Sinam Singh opened the evening with ‘Kamadeva Natya’, in which he showed the God of Love ushering in spring. The inherent grace and smoothness of the dance form made this piece a delight. The depiction of Kama’s cane bow and arrow with five different flowers and the colours of spring were seamlessly strung together.

Radha Rani is angry with Krishna for not keeping his promise to meet her. Monica’s performance of the play – from disappointment and anger to disillusionment – was notable for its sensitive and subtle portrayal of emotions. The couple next performed the popular Ashtapadi play ‘Kuru yadu nandana’, which was full of romantic imagery.

The couple showed remarkable understanding and harmony on stage. | Photo: M. SRINATH

Sinam Singh went beyond the Vaishnavite tradition that forms the core of Manipuri and chose a Shiva composition called ‘Nagendra Haraya’ and Panchakshara Stuti and incorporated in it Thang Tham (Manipuri martial art), rhythms of Pung Cholam (Manipuri drum) and mudras of Lai Haroba (ritual dance and musical theatre). The posture of Nataraja was different from that depicted in Bharatanatyam. However, the depiction of Shiva had to be more dynamic to differentiate it from the depiction of Krishna.

Tejaswini’s winning Kathak moves

The coordination and choreography were outstanding | Photo credit: SRINATH M

At the beginning of the festival, Tejaswini Sathe and her group presented selected compositions from her Kathak repertoire. The Chakkars, Parans and Tihais were explored in an interesting way in the first piece. Next came the bandish ‘Saajan Saathi Sahile’, a beautiful portrayal of a Nayika yearning for her lover. The maturity of the artist came through in her subtle expressions and gestures.

The Taraana in Teen Taal was the highlight of the performance. | Photo credit: M. SRINATH

The performance concluded with a Taraana in Teen Taal, composed in Raga Bhairav ​​​​by Tejaswani. The variety of movements and formations, powerful footwork and superb coordination enhanced the visual appeal.