I am in a Trance.. Trance created by dance.. Dance emanating from a dream and a dream realized by Music..
Unlike anything I have heard before, the soundscape conceived and created by Maestro Isaignani ILaiyaraaja for the Dance show "Swappnam", conceptualized, directed and choreographed (alongwith Vaibhav Arekar) by Krithika Subrahmanyan, resonates with infectious energy and one is left asking for more.
The rich canvas he paints with his music holds the well choreographed abstract act by Krithika and team, together and portrays multiple hues and emotions that may miss the grasp of even the one's uninitiated to classical dance formats.
Featuring stars and stalwarts from the classical music field, including Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr.TV Gopalakrishnan, Sudha Raghunathan, Abhishek Raghuram, Embar Kannan, Bharath Sundar, Composer-Singer Sharreth Vasudevan, Rajhesh Vaidya, Haridwaramangalam AK Pazhanivel, Palakkad Sreeram, Rajashree Pathak among others from his own troupe of musicians and technicians, the composer encapsulates the works of Manickavaachaagar, Sundarar, Thirumoolar, Gopalakrishna Bharathi, Adi Shankara and many others like only he can in the space of about one and a half hours.
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The western classical piece that seamlessly culminates in the "Ezhisayaai Isaipayanaai" or the "Bhajeham Bhajeham Shivoham" sung brilliantly by Rajashree Pathak or the grand finale in "Ammaye Appa" or the "Pradeepta Rathnojwala" (which I learn is from the Ardhanareeshwara Ashtakam by Adi Shankara) sung by Sharreth and Arunmozhi (Flautist Napoleon Selvaraj) or the intriguing Nandicchol constructed on top of a host of percussion instruments or the rich tapestry of rhythms sprinkled across the medley or the chanting of vedas, rudram and chamakam, this multilayered soundscape is another feather in the already sparkling bejeweled crown of this great composer.
The interludes of "Bhajeham" transports one to Kashi for a splendid "Vishweshwara Darshan". The on stage 'Uzharcchi' visualization of 'Ayye Mettha Kadinam' was interesting. The popular composition in Jonpuri "Eppo Varuvaaro" or the Neelambari based lullaby bit - everything plays out quite beautifully in the scheme of things.
The dance and choreography were pleasing to the eyes and I was blessed to get a glimpse of Padma Bhushan Prof.CV Chandrasekhar whose cameo appearance left the rasikas enthralled.
I sincerely wish the producers of the show take it to other centers (the show premiered on Dec 28th, followed by 2 more shows on Dec 31st and Jan 2nd, 2015-all in Chennai) for more people to soak in this wonderful dream.
An audio cd containing selected tracks from the show is also available for music lovers to revel in and get a feel of the surreal world of 'Swappnam'.
Unlike anything I have heard before, the soundscape conceived and created by Maestro Isaignani ILaiyaraaja for the Dance show "Swappnam", conceptualized, directed and choreographed (alongwith Vaibhav Arekar) by Krithika Subrahmanyan, resonates with infectious energy and one is left asking for more.
The rich canvas he paints with his music holds the well choreographed abstract act by Krithika and team, together and portrays multiple hues and emotions that may miss the grasp of even the one's uninitiated to classical dance formats.
Featuring stars and stalwarts from the classical music field, including Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr.TV Gopalakrishnan, Sudha Raghunathan, Abhishek Raghuram, Embar Kannan, Bharath Sundar, Composer-Singer Sharreth Vasudevan, Rajhesh Vaidya, Haridwaramangalam AK Pazhanivel, Palakkad Sreeram, Rajashree Pathak among others from his own troupe of musicians and technicians, the composer encapsulates the works of Manickavaachaagar, Sundarar, Thirumoolar, Gopalakrishna Bharathi, Adi Shankara and many others like only he can in the space of about one and a half hours.
The western classical piece that seamlessly culminates in the "Ezhisayaai Isaipayanaai" or the "Bhajeham Bhajeham Shivoham" sung brilliantly by Rajashree Pathak or the grand finale in "Ammaye Appa" or the "Pradeepta Rathnojwala" (which I learn is from the Ardhanareeshwara Ashtakam by Adi Shankara) sung by Sharreth and Arunmozhi (Flautist Napoleon Selvaraj) or the intriguing Nandicchol constructed on top of a host of percussion instruments or the rich tapestry of rhythms sprinkled across the medley or the chanting of vedas, rudram and chamakam, this multilayered soundscape is another feather in the already sparkling bejeweled crown of this great composer.
The interludes of "Bhajeham" transports one to Kashi for a splendid "Vishweshwara Darshan". The on stage 'Uzharcchi' visualization of 'Ayye Mettha Kadinam' was interesting. The popular composition in Jonpuri "Eppo Varuvaaro" or the Neelambari based lullaby bit - everything plays out quite beautifully in the scheme of things.
The dance and choreography were pleasing to the eyes and I was blessed to get a glimpse of Padma Bhushan Prof.CV Chandrasekhar whose cameo appearance left the rasikas enthralled.
I sincerely wish the producers of the show take it to other centers (the show premiered on Dec 28th, followed by 2 more shows on Dec 31st and Jan 2nd, 2015-all in Chennai) for more people to soak in this wonderful dream.
An audio cd containing selected tracks from the show is also available for music lovers to revel in and get a feel of the surreal world of 'Swappnam'.
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