Legendary dancers Leela Samson and Bragha Bessell along with the Spanda group presented a delightful evening of Bharatnatyam at the Keefe Technical High School on April 21. Classicism and precise movements marked the presentation.  

They opened the program with a Kalabhairava Ashtakam performed by Leela Samson. With slow precise movements Leela brought to life the glory of Lord Shiva as the majestic Kalabhairava. Every movement was well thought out and presented with great conviction. 

We immediately moved into a Padam in Ragam Saveri , Idaivida innum by Bragha Bessell. From the very beginning it was very clear why this dancer is referred to as the queen of Abhinaya. Her infinite variety of ideas to expand on a line combined with her ability to emote a range of emotions changing from one to other in a quick succession was a treat to watch.   

Arun Velayudhan, Bilva Raman Gandhi, Harikrishnan Nair, and Satyapriya Mohan Iyer presented Ananda Nadamidum Padan in the Ragam Kedara Gowlai.  Fabulous poses and lovely formations made this a lovely piece. It would have been a nice piece to pick up the pace considering that this was a piece on Shiva’s dance but the choreographers seemed to decided against that. 

Two padams, one by Leela Samson Daari Juchi in Ragam Shankarabaranam and Ninnu Chooda in Ragam Punagavarali preceded the wonderful composition taken from Kumara Sambhavam. In Ninnu Chooda Bragha did most of the piece just sitting in one place and was able to convey all the emotions using very little movements. It was amazing. Kumara Sambhavam described the marriage procession of Lord Shiva. Kalidasa’s amazing poetry brought that scene to life and the Spanda team did great justice to the piece. 

Shankara Shrigiri in the Ragam Hamsanandi came next and the grand Dikhshitar Kriti, Ardhanareeshwaram in Kumdakriya ragam presented by Leela Samson, followed it. Leela’s dance style suits Dikhshitar’s kriti’s as she is able to take it at a slow pace allowing the audience to soak in grandeur of the piece. It was quite the highlight of Leela’s presentation.

Another highlight of the evening was Nanne penladu a Kshetrayya Padam in Yadukula Kamboji presented by Bragha Bessell. Bragha chose to tell the tale using three different Nayikas. She combined a great deal of humor in her presentation. Samahit , by Spanda, a Javali in Ragam Todi by Leela Samson and a Tillana Medley composed by Lalgudi Jayaraman  brought the event to a close. 

The event was a real treat for dance aficionados for took us back to an age when people had time to slow down and contemplate on thoughts and movements in a unhurried pace to have the ability to explore the subtle and the grand.