JOHOR BARU: EVERY year since 1994, Suvarna Fine Arts dance academy will showcase its students’ talents in an elaborate stage production.
This year they recently presented Krishnamayam, a full length dance drama that featured 60 dancers to the accompaniment of a live traditional orchestra.
In the past two decades, Suvarna has produced distinct and original dance works that combine authentic classicism with universal appeal.
The academy, established by Ajith Bhaskaran Dass in Johor Baru more than 20 years ago, has expanded to five branches in Pulai, Saleng, Masai, Kulai and Kluang.
With his mastery of techniques in the rigorous disciplines of both bharatha natyam and odissi, Ajith has collaborated with professional productions locally and abroad to produce an impressive repertoire of performances.
In Krishnamayam, Ajith choreographed and produced a bharatha natyam dance that invokes the myriad manifestations of Lord Krishna.
While both junior and senior students took part in the dances, he also gave various students the opportunity to play the multiple roles of Krishna in the drama.
Young Krishna and his mischievous behaviour was effectively portrayed by Priya Latha Sethu.
Several dancers played the role of Krishna in the Maha Raas scene where Krishna multiplies himself as the Lord of the Maidens of Vrindavan while the role was also played by Parthiben Sethu who fights and overcomes the serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna river.
In the later scenes, the role was played by Vijay Chandran as Mystic Krishna and Sritharan Arumugam as the Cosmic Krishna.
Ajith, the consummate artiste, made it a point to connect with the audience not only through dance but also by providing a comprehensive narration in English to help the audience better appreciate the art form.
In the tradition of bharata natyam, gurus are well versed in the art of dance and the choreographer of the dances, Ajith, was the Nattuvanar or dance cymbalist who provided the Nattuvangam as he played the cymbals and recited the Solkattu in rhythmic patterns for his dancers.
The dance performance was accompanied by a traditional orchestra with Theban Arumugam on mridangam, Achyuthan Shasidharan Nair on violin, Ghanavenothan Retnam on flute, M. Kumaran on the tabla and pakhawaj, and the exquisite vocals of Bhavani Logeswaran.
Glittering costumes and elaborate hairdos in several scenes of the two-hour performance kept the audience enthralled as the story of Lord Krishna unfolded.
While the characteristics of Lord Krishna were well-portrayed by various students at different stages of his life, the roles of Lord Krishna’s mother played by Sujatha Vijay and Logeshwari Durairaj as Draupadi, were also well emoted and highly commendable.
Their skills in projecting a character through mime was impressive and a tribute to Suvarna’s training.
At Suvarna, students are given a holistic education in all aspects of dance, from dancing and teaching to choreography as well as stage production.
So in every production, some of the senior students will be involved in wardrobe management, set and lighting design and execution.
Ajith is happy that many graduate students who are busy with their careers are still passionate about the arts and will get involved whenever possible.
“I consider this a great thing and proof of our holistic training at Suvarna.
“I feel that Suvarna’s high standard of artistry and production quality is in the safe hands of the next generation,” said Ajith, who learnt to dance under his illustrious gurus, Shanta Bhaskar, Adya K. Lakshman, Ramli Ibrahim and the Dhananjayans.
He was proud of his students who presented a commendable performance in spite of the absence of a technical run or a stage rehearsal because the event hall was not made available.
From his experience in JB, Ajith is aware that performance venues continue to pose a serious challenge here and he still has a vision to create a suitable venue for the arts.
Survana Fine Arts dance academy offers courses in bharatha natyam, odissi, contemporary and folk dances.
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