Bharatanatyam Abhinaya - Recital
This DVD presents a collage of 7 dazzling demos by ‘Nrithya Choodamani’ Priyadarsini Govind, the distinguished danseuse and her disciple set to some lilting compositions by eminent lyricists.
Each item is introduced by the danseuse herself detailing its significance, subtleties and the meaning of the lyrics so that the viewer gains a comprehensive view of Abhinaya.
An ideal learning tool for the serious students of Bharatanatyam as well as a collector’s item for connoisseurs.

This product contains one DVD and one Audio CD.
About the DVD
The adavu demonstrations in this DVD are based on distinctive Adavu styles as mandated by the two well-known schools namely

• Kalakshetra

• Vazhuvoor

Here, theory and techniques behind each Adavu are slickly explained & demonstrated by Shajilal (Kalakshetra), Bhargavi Gopalan (disciple of Smt. K J Sarasa) and Apoorva Jayaraman (disciple of Smt. Padmini Ravi). These young and vivacious dancers also show variations in Adavu execution that lend the recital the variety and verve.
This DVD, with its form and content, stands as a glorious testimony to the imaginative excellence inherited by these artistes from their respective Gurus.
An ideal learning tool for those serious students of Bharatanatyam.
Demos on:

This product treats you to the delights of Kuchipudi, one of the major streams of Indian classical dance that emanated from Andhra Pradesh. Essentially a dance-drama, Kuchipudi is known for its aesthetic amalgamation of pure dance or ‘nritta’, music and histrionics with which it enacts scenes from Hindu epics and mythological tales.
This product has two sections:
Soundarya Manjari - A Cluster of Pathra Pravesha Darus
Here the quintessence of ‘Pathra Pravesa Daru’ the entry item comes alive in a sparkling solo performance by ‘Kalaimamani’ Uma Muralikrishna, a seasoned Kuchipudi exponent known for her flawless style and grace. Each item is preceded by a detailed description of the composition, the context and the character portrayed.
Bhamane Sathya bhamane -Bhairavi-Misrachapu
This piece from ‘Bhama Kalapam’, a legendary work by Siddhendra Yogi brings out the traits of Sathyabhama, the arrogant queen of Krishna.
Vidalera Voyyarolu -Kedara Gowla-Ad
Taken from ‘Vipranaryana Charitham’, this number exudes Shrungara rasa and describes how a devadasi gears up to seduce sage Vipranarayana.
Tharuni Rukmini Vechanamma -Kalyani-Misrachapu
An item from ‘Rukmini Kalyanam’, this number speaks about the beauty and poise of Rukmini, Krishna’s consort.

Mathurya Murali - An Exposition of Tarangams
Kuchipudi is an ancient dance form of India that has its roots in the southern province of Andhra Pradesh that involves fast, rhythmic footwork and sculpture-like body postures. Essentially a dance-drama, it unfolds scenes from Hindu epics and mythology by combining music, dance and acting.
This product unveils the nuances of ‘Tarangam’ an important component of Kuchupidi through a pulsating recital by ‘Kalaimamani’ Uma Muralikrishna, a highly acclaimed artiste. The highlight of ‘Tarangam’ is that the dancer dances on the edge of a brass plate marked by nimble but complicated rhythmic patterns.
Goverdhana giri dhara-Ragamalika-Adi
This composistion of Narayana Theertha from 'Krishna Leela Tarangini' describes how Krishna lifted a mountain with his little finger and sheltered the entire village under it. It also speaks about his boyhood pranks.
Maragatha mani maya chela-Aarabi-Adi
This lyric by Uthukadu Venkatasubba Iyer extols the charm of Krishna, his lure and the luster of his garment.

Bharatanatyam Ashtanayika - Kalahantarita

This DVD regales you with a delectable fair of Nayikabhava with an exposition on Ashtanayikas- the heroines categorized by the natyashastras under 8 different heads according to their emotional status.
In an exhaustive and aesthetic manner it presents the mindset, moods, conflicts, cogitations, tempers and tantrums of Kalahantarita, the heroine who defies all accepted norms and ventures out to meet her lover at a predetermined place.
The highlight of this product is a classroom session involving Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan, ('Maami' to her students), the greatest Abhinaya exponent of our times & Jayanthi Subramaniam, her distinguished disciple.
'Maanini Vinavey', a padam by Karveti Nagar Govindaswamy forms the pivot of maami's engaging elucidation of Kalahantarita. Then follows a sprightly demo of this padam by Jayanthi Subramaniam.
In a long, no-holds-barred discussion, the attributes of each nayika are analyzed threadbare by the Guru who compares and contrasts Abhisarika with other nayikas to bring out the subtle differences between them.
The lively and informal student-teacher interaction is marked by enlightening digressions that cover different heroines, different contexts and a host of padams and javalis from the repertoire of well-known composers.

It brings into focus not only the intricacies of ayikabhava, but also the unique teaching methodology of Kalanidhi maami and the intensity of Guru-Sishya relationship which is the cornerstone of our culture.

Maami provides some practical tips for teachers and also students at different levels- beginners, those reasonably well-trained and foreign students who are not very familiar with our cultural milieu.
There is a wealth of information on how to approach the composition, understand its meaning and the mood it portrays before actually getting down to performance.

Bharatanatyam Ashtanayika - Khandita

This DVD regales you with a delectable fair of Nayikabhava with an exposition on Ashtanayikas- the heroines categorized by the natyashastras under 8 different heads according to their emotional status.
In an exhaustive and aesthetic manner it presents the mindset, moods, conflicts, cogitations, tempers and tantrums of Khandita, the heroine who defies all accepted norms and ventures out to meet her lover at a predetermined place.
The highlight of this product is a classroom session involving Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan, ('Maami' to her students), the greatest Abhinaya exponent of our times & Roja Kannan, her distinguished disciple.
'Ithai vida veru vendumo' a padam by Subbarama Iyer forms the pivot of maami's engaging elucidation of Khandita. Then follows a sprightly demo of this padam by Roja Kannan.
In a long, no-holds-barred discussion, the attributes of each nayika are analyzed threadbare by the Guru who compares and contrasts Abhisarika with other nayikas to bring out the subtle differences between them.
The lively and informal student-teacher interaction is marked by enlightening digressions that cover different heroines, different contexts and a host of padams and javalis from the repertoire of well-known composers.