Paras Ramoutar
COUVA, TRINIDAD, February 6, 2006: Sowmyaa Narayanan of Bangalore, India, captured everyone’s attention during the almost two-hour show entitled, “A Bharata Natyam Dance Recital” on Saturday night at the Rudranath Capildeo Learning Resource Centre, Couva. The five-part presentation commenced with, “Sri Vigna Rajam Baje” (Invocation invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesh, the destroyer of all obstacles). Then she moved gracefully into her second stint, entitled, “Varnam Mathe” reflecting a composition by Harikesha Nallur Muthiah Bhagvatar. This was a challenging piece for the dancer wherein the Nritta (foot work and movements) and Abhinaya (gestures and emotions) are interspersed to convey a theme. In this Varnam, which is in praise of the Mother Goddess, the birth of Goddess Meenakshi to the Pandya King and Queen and Her Union with Lord Sundaresha are depicted. In addition, the slaying of demon Mahishasura is portrayed. In Bharat Natyam recitals, the Varnam is the key to assess the dancer’s ability, since it tests the dancer’s skills both in foot work and movements and gestures and emotions.
The specially invited guests Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, Senator Joan Yuille-Williams and Indian High Commissioner, Shri Jagit Singh Sapra were delighted to see her in serious dance action. In her short address, Minister Williams described Miss Narayanan’s presentation as having given her “increased appreciation” for Indian dance and also for the presentation by the Nrityanjali Theatre led by Sat and Mondira Balkaransingh. She said that despite several Carnival functions elsewhere in the country, she chose to attend this performance and readily decreed that the Nrityanjali Theatre has a powerful part to play in this year’s Carifesta which is being staged in Trinidad and Tobago. Shri Singh said that Trinidad and Tobago’s talent was overflowing, and feels that requests from diplomats in the region for Indian Cultural presentations can be sourced from this country.
The Nrityanjali Theatre continues to imprint its professional mark as a cultural and religious entity in our landscape and beyond. The Theatre has given rebirth to dance, this integral aspect of Indian culture and Hinduism. Glowing praises must be showered on the Balkaransinghs for their vision, foresight and diligence in the promotion of dance. The Nrityanjali Theatre is the hallmark of dance on this side of the Atlantic and, Miss Narayanan’s presentation is a serious reflection of this ideal. One felt totally immersed throughout the presentation as one’s spirit was lifted into infinity and deep devotion.
Miss Narayanan is a disciple of Guru Radha, and was initiated into the Bharat Natyam at the age of eight. She performed her arangetram (a dancer’s first solo stage recital) in February 1995. Since then, Miss Narayanan has given more than 25 dance performances in various cities of India for many leading cultural organization. She has performed at the Institute of International Affairs, Lagos, Ingeria. She has played key role in the Ballet Krishnaya staged by the Nrityanjali here in 2003-04. academically, she has just completed her MBA from Cardiff, Wales. In addition, she holds a Diploma in Computer Software and in French. She was here to spend three weeks with her parents, and felt that she should give this show. She leaves shortly for Chennai, India.