When we performed on Ganesh Chaturti for our society, despite all the hitches, we were asked to repeat our performance. We're not quite repeating it; we've chosen different pieces this time.Our encore will be performed today; I hope it's better than the last one! … [Read more...]
Last Evening’s Performance
I have no pictures yet, but I can't resist sharing yet another performance story.First of all, we were 'late'. Apparently we were expected there by 7:30. Except that we were told we would begin at 8. Being the children of the society (well, we were children when we performed 13 years ago!), we were scolded as soon as we reached.And then, there was no music system. Everybody apologised to everybody else. We were told to sing while everyone waited for a music system. "Sorry," we said, uncomfortably, "we don't sing."Finally, my mother brought a music system from home. But the plug points around the makeshift stage did not work.My father gave us his laptop. We could hear nothing.We set up the music system at some point far away. And then we imagined the music and danced.My father said that coordination was a little lacking this time. Perhaps we could blame that on the fact that … [Read more...]
Performing this evening!
It's been ages since my sister and I performed together at a programme organised by our society. I remember the time, ages ago, when the two of us practised on the little round stage in the lawn. It was in 97 or 98. How far we've come since then! We played our music on audio cassettes, rewinding and fast-forwarding, working on our synchronisation.Now, we probably practise as much or more, but differently. Synchronisation must be taken that many notches higher. Quality cannot possibly be compromised. I look forward to it! … [Read more...]
On Being Krishna
Watching the Indore video last night reminded me -For the last piece that all of us performed together, my teacher was keen that Krishna use a real flute. So a friend bought a flute for me and I diligently decorated it. I put lovely peacock feather tassels and gold ribbon around Krishna's melodious flute. (My flute, just to make things clear, is not at all melodious. I can make a few harsh sounds. That's all.)I did not really practise with the flute, but it was fun to have a flute, so I used it to my best advantage.Except once. Sitting happily in aramandi, I discovered that the tassels were cheerfully pointing upwards and the holes of the flute were all facing the floor.I winced inwardly. Should I gingerly and inconspicuously turn it around?I decided against it. I can't play it anyway, so might as well let it stay upside down. … [Read more...]
Krishna and Radha
We had practised, of course we had practised. With our guru, how could we not?Radha and Krishna were to sit together exploring their love during Jayadeva's Ashtapadi Kisalaya. Krishna was to take Radha's hand and press it against his chest. He was to put his arm around Radha's shoulders and draw her close to him.Unfortunately, that was not what happened on stage. Krishna and Radha were not seated comfortably on the floor or on a wooden stool. Krishna tried to move close enough to Radha to put his arm around her, and the plastic stool on which he was seated shook dangerously. He held her hand instead. Radha and Krishna sat far away from each other, each balanced precariously on a shaky stool, too afraid to move one toe out of line.Somehow, the piece got over without the stools breaking or moving further apart. … [Read more...]
Sunday Times, Indore
Press coverage - even if it's just two lines - is press coverage! … [Read more...]
Back from Indore
A magnificent wooden stage - 50 feet long, 30 feet wide ...Infrastructure that allowed us to use lights in a way that we have never done before ... Guru Mythili Raghavan, determined to give her best to Kasturitilakam ... Eleven dancers - all excited, all nervous, all thrilled at the opportunity ... Of course things went wrong, but things went wonderfully right too. We performed at IIM, Indore, and delighted our audience.Photos and stories will come soon!But meanwhile, a view of the campus ... The lapwing is not a chance visitor. We saw it (and its friends/ enemies) everyday and everywhere. The campus is truly inspiring! … [Read more...]
Main Nahin Makhan Khayo
One of the highlights of this evening's performance:The gopis carried tales to Yashoda, complaining time and again about how Krishna stole butter from them. But naughty little Krishna convinced his mother not to believe any of the complaints the other gopis made about him.When Krishna stole butter in his own house, however, things changed – because Yashoda herself saw him.Yashoda wanted to catch her little boy out and asked him, out of the blue, “Kanhaiya, did you eat butter?”Taken aback, the words escaped from Krishna’s mouth, “Main nahin maakhan khayo – I did not eat butter! Ma, how did you think I had eaten the butter? I don’t even have the time to eat it! All day, I herd the cows. From dawn to dusk, I’m out grazing the cattle. When could I possibly eat butter?”The argument did not work. So, Krishna thought of another justification. “Maiya mori, mother mine, I’m such a … [Read more...]
Kasturitilakam
Timeless, beautiful, expressive. Dance is all three, and much more. Classical dance in India is a language. With its ancient origins, it is a medium of communicating knowledge, expressing emotions and creating aesthetic pleasure. Kasturitilakam – conceived and choreographed by Guru Mythili Raghavan – explores each of these dimensions.Lord Krishna, playing his divine, melodious flute, has touched the hearts of millions. Stories of this beloved god find their way into languages, music and culture all over India. His naughty pranks as a child, his strength and bravery as a young man, his divine love for Radha and the other gopis, his accompaniment of the Pandavas during their exile, and ultimately, the Bhagvad Gita, the immortal treatise delivered to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra – these stories strike a chord in hearts everywhere.Guru Mythili Raghavan’s Kasturitilakam will … [Read more...]
Performing at Indore
The Academy of Indian Dances will be presenting Kasturitilakam - episodes from the life of Lord Krishna - everyone is welcome! Venue: IIM, Indore Date: 6th July, 2013 Time: 18:30 Credits: Choreography: Guru Mythili Raghavan Make-up: Shri Mohan and Smt Lakshmi Music compilation: Friends Studio, Pune Dancers: Ashwini Sashital, Charulatha Ramesha, Dhwani Lalai, Nisha Seshan, Pooja Shetty, Rashmi Shetty, Resham Abdagiri, Riddhi Joshi, Tejashree Natu, Suguna Nair and Varsha Seshan … [Read more...]