Sri Balaji Temple of Aurora in downtown Chicago (USA) recently presented a very special dance performance “SHIVA VANDANAM” during their Mahasivarathri celebrations at the temple. The artists who were featured were Sushmita Arunkumar and Sowmya Kumaran along with their students Sindura Pisipati and Bhavya Kumaran.
Both dancers are well-known classical dance performers in suburban Chicago area and they train several young children in their private dance institutions. A large number of dance lovers filled the auditorium and were deeply captivated by the talented performance of these artists.
The recital began with Sushmita Arunkumar performing “Nandi chol” which was a prelude to the invocatory sthuthi, `Neelakanta Mahadeva. The uniqueness of this item is that the words nandi is interwoven in the syllables rendered and it resonantes the sound produced on the madhalam, the drum played by shiva's Bull, the nandi. The verses in this piece were in praise of Lord Shiva, the protector of the Universe, the consort of Goddess Parvati and the destroyer of Manmatha. This item was choreographed by Sushmita’s guru Adyar K Lakshman.
This was follwed by 'Chidambaram Natesa Kavuthuvam' in ragam Hamsadwani set to Adi thalam which was performed by Bhavya Kumaran, student and daughter of Sowmya Kumaran.
The song describes Shiva as the one who is worshipped by the rishis of Tadavana, Brahma, Vishnu and by all the Devas and the Asuras, the one whose feet are adorned by ankle belts and who performs the Tandava, the one who is worshipped by Vyagarapada and the one who is the Lord of 3000 Dikshitas of Chidambaram.
Sushmita, Sindura, Bhavya, & Sowmya
The next number was presented by Sushmita it was the well known Swarajathi, Sambashiva Yanave that was beautifully choreographed by her guru and is a composition of Chinnikrishna Dassar. The dancer describes Lord Shiva, who resides in the silver mountains, the snow-clad Himalayas.
Sowmya Kumaran presented the next item “Ananda Koothanin Thandava Dharisanam” a beautiful Keerthanam by Swami Shanthananda. This number depicted the powerful dance of Shiva along with his consort Shivagami which brings joy and delight to his devotees.
Sushmita and her student of 7 years, Sindura Pisipati presented the next number Aadi Kondar. This item was in ragam Mayamalava gowlai set to Adi Thalam and a composition of Shri Muthu Tandavar's.
This was followed by 'Theruvil Varano ennai chatru thirumbi parano', a Muthuthandavar padam in Kamas set to Rupakam, which was presented by Sowmya Kumaran.
The recital concluded with a thillana, which was presented by Sushmita and Sowmya. The Thillana was in ragam Hindolam and a composition of guru K. N. Dhandayudapani Pillai.
