Reva’s much-awaited arangetram is close to my heart and I’m sure it’s close to everyone’s heart after seeing her perform. I’m writing this as an audience member and definitely not as Reva’s Sangeetha aunty.
Reva, I’m breaking the climax/ending here: your arangetram was like attending a crash Balvihar course. We got to see all the Hindu Gods and Goddess, learned the story of Ramayanam, Mahabharatham, Srimad Bhagavatham, Sundara Kandam, Dasavatharam, Shiva Stotram, and Guru Bhakti along with Guru Shishya Parampara. You and Ramaa aunty gave us all the “must- knows” in Hindu scriptures. You created a template for a “must-attend” arangetram.
You are a born dancer and when the much anticipated day finally arrived, not just for me, but everyone I spoke to were eagerly waiting to watch your performance. Many of the guests have not seen you dance before, but came only because of the buzz you created among them. You beat your mom in perfection. The one that keeps popping in my brain about your arangetram is how at ease you were throughout. Did the confidence in you make you feel that way, or is that in your nature? I think it’s the latter, dance is in your nature, and in flesh and blood.
I made sure I was seated in the perfect spot, and rudely made sure I had my left and right seat empty because I didn’t want anyone’s disturbance or even influence. I clap when I like to clap and don’t mind a chuckle when the whole hall is silent. Despite the grandeur of the stage, audio, and music, my mind was fully captured by only you during the first few minutes of the Anjali. I have to admit I was restless for the first few seconds because I felt like my own daughter was on stage, but I shook myself up and told myself I was here as an audience member to enjoy the BEST dance and great music. Anjali is usually a crisp introduction and is always simple. During the entire evening I did not see anything “simple”. That word didn’t exist there, maybe simply superb, but not simple. In every arengetram I attend I wait for the teacher's signature in choreography and very keenly observe. But yesterday, the whole arengetram was Ramaa’s signature. “You blink you lose” kind of choreography. The first grain of cooked rice tells you the whole pot’s quality, Anjali told all of us how intense your arangetram was going to be.
You brought all the devatas in front of us in Sri Sakala Ganadhipa. What a variety in showing each god and the emotion that went with it. How that tiny face of yours portrayed Rama- the sat purusha, to Krishna to Hanumantha who had nothing in common. Your expression was like 52 inch LED TV screen.
Dolayam was a dessert platter. You gave us all the gist of the avatars and made us all craving for more. Ramaa’s creativity to make you sit at the end of the stage, and sway… hearts hearts hearts!!! We all felt like swinging with you. What a beautiful start of the song with the lord swinging with Mahalakhmi and you traveled around the universe highlighting the dasavatara and came back as a devotee and pushed the swing for the lord! The suyamvara scene in Ramayanam and breaking of the Siva dhanusu, no one can do it better than you and your sister. The Segireddy legacy continues!! The dice scene from Mahabharata, brought tears to many of us. Ramaa Aunty’s creativity has no limits. Due credit to the lighting for that song and Dr. Sriram’s special effects.
I’m regularly chanting Devi Mahatmiyam and to see Goddess Chamundi slaying the demons Madhu and Kaidabha in your varnam brought the visual effect in front of me. Showing the variety of each Devi and remembering the goddess name and what goes with it is not easy. You taught us all the forms of Devi and showed each of her characteristics in your bhavam. Your varnam was a power packed story narration along with heavy - industrial sized foot work! Someone in the audience yelled “More than 40 minutes of non-stop dancing” while all of us were clapping. We all need caffeine to watch and I was drained just by looking at your footsteps.
The second part of the arangetram drew lot of anticipation among all. In Samaja varagamana song you showed us the ever cute Krishna and his most enjoyable mischiefs. I was amazed how you were able to show the gopika walking while Krishna pulling her hair. Double action but with no green screen or camera trick. How was that possible?? How did you your expression change from the troubled/irritated gopika to the naughtiness Krishna in fraction of a second?
Shiva Tandavam gave us all goose bumps. How were you able to change your mood from a soft melody in the previous song to this ugra Shiva Thandavam? Ramaa’s “na ma shi va ya.. shi va ya” was ringing in my ears for hours. Your dance for this song showed absolute devotion. Lord Nataraja took over you. Lighting, Ramaa, Sathivka and Rathi’s voice, damaru, violin, and flute flew above and beyond reality. I sensed absolute silence in the crowd. We couldn’t come out of that even after the song was done. The contrast in Rathi’s and Sathvika's voices were a perfect fit. Ramaa’s voice vibrated! I felt like I was at Varanasi watching “saptha Rishi poojai” at Vishwanathar Temple. Due credit to Varshini, Dr. Prabhakar and Dr. Sriram for coming together to make this special piece a GRAND success, not just for you but for Ramaa aunty as well.
I was looking forward to Kanden Kanden and enjoyed every bit of it. The story narration of how Sita was abducted, and how Hanuman traveled to Lanka to find Sita was implacable. Dr. Sriram’s morsing added beauty to the already cute Hanuman! Rathi’s stress on the words “ Che Che nillada” and your expressing of “disgusting” when Ravana comes near Sita was PERFECT. I’ve heard many many versions of this song and get super angry when the singer says “Che Che nillada” in a soft, effortless, lazy way. That kills the whole song's meaning. Thanks to Rathi for taking that extra step to sing and understanding the importance of the lyrics. Violin and flute during Hanuman’s promise to Rama that he would come back knowing the whereabouts of Sita, was a storyteller on its own. Overall, no other song would have been a better fit for you than this song and no one else would have done justice to this song other than you!
Your joyous dharmathi thilana will be on repeat mode in my heart. I learned one thing from your performance - it’s hard to keep up with you. Your footwork amazed me. and the precision in your mudras and poses. The amazing balance you have, not just physical but emotional balance too to pull this grand arengetram through. Bramhamokkate was a fitting ending to the whole evening. It made all us sing and dance with you. Reva, your arengetram was for learned, and for layman, for musicians, and for those who didn’t know anything about music, for dancers and for those who don’t know dance- Just like “bramamokkote”. You taught us all that dance is for all and there is no differentiation in levels to appreciate this art. Praying Lord Nataraja that he showers his blessings to you always. I’m hoping that you grow older and teach dance to future generations with your Guru’s blessings.
Loads of love
Sangeetha Aunty
Comments