Combining classical Indian aesthetic frameworks and emotive dance movements, the “Paruvangal” programme involved dancers who performed gracefully under the guidance of seasoned gurus.
The event took place on Sept 13 at the Drama Centre Theatre, offering audiences a highly engaging evening of traditional Indian arts.
The Bharatanatyam production cleverly weaves together the Ashtavidha Nayika, representing the eight emotional states of a heroine in love, and the Ritu, representing the six seasons in the Indian calendar.
Choreographed by senior resident choreographer Ms Ambujah Thiru, 54, the performance features an evocative original score by Cultural Medallion recipient Dr Ghanavenothan Retnam, 65.
The production meticulously charts the emotional metamorphosis of a woman in love through the rapidly shifting cycles of the natural world.
Instead of relying heavily on traditional songs, the dancers used their expressive body movements to convey the heroine’s deep feelings and the surrounding environment.
“We matched each heroine with a specific season, ensuring the choreography reflected both her mood and the nature of the season,” said Ms Ambujah.
She noted that the script and live music served as massive inspiration, enhancing the story they wanted to tell the audience.
The live music was specially composed to reflect the different seasons, using unique ragas instead of common ones to highlight the shifting weather.
“We created natural sounds using traditional instruments, like the veena for raindrops and chimes for falling snow, without relying on electronic music,” said Dr Ghanavenothan Retnam.
He added that they incorporated a lively folk dance segment using the traditional Parai drum, which was a first for their dance dramas.
Writing the script for this thematic performance required a deep understanding of the choreographer’s vision and the core emotions of each scene.
“Dancing to the very words I wrote felt slightly strange at first, but it ultimately helped me immerse myself completely into the scenes,” said Mr Bala Saravanan Loganathan, 29.
He explained that balancing the difficult dual roles of a scriptwriter and a dancer made him highly aware of the entire show’s continuous flow.
For the young performers, connecting their personal experiences to the natural world made it easier to express the feelings required for the performance.
“Comparing how I navigate life to a tree moving through seasons helped me realise these emotions were already within me,” said Ms Dayanita Rani, 24.
She shared that syncing every single element with the live orchestra to convey the right mood was a challenging but rewarding process.
The audience was deeply moved by the energetic storytelling and the beautiful blend of live music, colourful lights, and set design.
“The expressive, energetic storytelling of the dancers enchanted me, as they blended with the set, lights, and music,” said Ms Chloe Frances Chang Xing En, 23.
“I found the show particularly relatable in the way it portrayed the different seasons of a woman’s love and turmoil, mirroring the changing seasons of nature,” said Ms Ann Hashwitha, 23.
This unique artistic showcase allowed audiences to appreciate classical traditions through a modern perspective on everyday women and their shared experiences.
