Srikalaranga’s in-house dance productions are a labour of love, reflecting not only the dedication of the guru but also the enthusiasm of our keen and bright-eyed young students
The production Shree brought to life Ashta Lakshmi - 8 embodiments of prosperity and abundance bestowing auspiciousness from material riches to spiritual enlightenment. Adi Lakshmi (the Primodal form of Lakshmi) till Dhairya Lakshmi (the source of courage and perseverance) were presented including an interesting folk dance for Dhanya Lakshmi who represents abundance in agriculture and food grains.
Nature – the supreme reality exists in the form of five basic elements (water, wind, space, fire and earth). To establish oneness of nature and God, Lord Shiva manifests himself as these five elements. The manifestation of Lord Shiva as these five elements in five different places of worship in South India has been depicted through this Bharatanatyam presentation.
As Water in Thiruvanaikkaval – Jambukeshwara
As Wind in Thiru Kalahasti – Kalahasteeshwara
As Ether or Space in Chidambaram – Nataraja
As Fire in Thiruvannamalai – Arunachaleshwara
As Earth in Kancheepuram – Ekambareshwara
This production was inspired by Dr.Sudha Seshayyan's book on Pancha Bhoota Stalam.
Devi Mahatmyam was a production exclusively choreographed for "Dasa Maha Vidyapeetam" involving the senior students of the school. Aigiri Nandini, adapted to the varnam format by Dr. Ambika Kameshwar was used to depict different forms of Devi. This was performed in January of 2014 at Vani Mahal.
Maaya Maan, an interesting original composition of the school presents the story in Ramayana where Maarechan instrcuted by Raavana, takes the form of a deer in a plot to abduct Sita to Lanka. The leaps and twirls, the disappearing and reappearing, sometimes timed and at times daring, ..such is the maya or elusive nature of the deer. Is it just the deer which is maya or is maya the world as we see it?, if everything that we perceive through our senses is nothing but an illusion, then, which is really real? The presentation shifts into the philosophical space and quotes verses from Ulladu Narpadhu written by Shri Ramana Maharishi.
‘Kṛṣṇa’ brought out the different aspects of the lord as a child, as a boy and as the Swayam Bhagavan. We presented it in 3 parts corresponding to the different stages of Krsna's life. The first one is the adorable and mischievous Kutti Krishna that included his childhood pranks. The second part is the attractive and youthful Krishna’ – who with all his charm lures the gopikas, elopes away with Rukmini and wins a duel with Rukmangadhan. The third and the last part is the ‘Swayam Bhagavan’ who reveals his true self as the Supreme to Arjuna at the battlefield giving to the world the Bhagavad Gita.
Skanda, Kanda, Kumara, Muruga, Subramanya, Karthikeya, Velava….many names, one manifestation; many manifestations, one energy! Energy that is knowledge, intellect, valour, courage, grace and compassion. Energy that can heal the world of all illnesses. This presentation narrated the birth, childhood pranks, the essence of pranava mantra and the power of shakthivel. It concluded with the grand Soorasamharam.