It
was the 26th of January 2012….
It
was 2.45pm: My dad dropped me outside Narada Gana Sabha where the bus heading
towards Thennangur village was waiting. Only then I and two of my other friends
realized that we were late!! As we entered into the bus we were having mixed
emotions of fear, excitement and expectations. For a few hours I spoke less
observed more and so did my friends. It was my first time to such a “dance
camp”! I had a look of the stalwarts seated along with the organizers in the
front seats and young and vibrant dancers behind, alongside us. We trio started
practicing some “thalams” which was supposed to be our homework. After a while
we all started introducing ourselves to each other and became comfortable. We reached
Thennangur and I felt a steady stream of blood gushing into my senses. As we
got down the bus we were allotted very simple yet largely cozy rooms at the
Lakshmi Bhavanam. Little did we know that there was a great and a tough time
ahead…. We freshened up and headed towards the main temple. The scent of the
gobar the non hustle bustle atmosphere of the city just reminded the strength
of India-“Villages”. The gates of the sanctum sanctorum opened. There was the
sublime and suave Panduranga bountifully adorned with priceless jewels and
colourful garments. Witnessing such a spectacular sight for the very first time
I felt hard to hold back my tears. With the head priest elucidating the
beauteous art and architecture of the temple, I started to capture the
marvelous paintings on my camera. Sri Krishnaswamy,Secretary Narada Gana Sabha,
later, while welcoming each and every one of us even briefed about the schedule
of the camp.
“Sathgurunadha
Gnanananda” (I could never afford to forget this chant!!). Talking about food…!
It was such a delicacy!I still am wandering about the secret ingredient in it!!
DAY
1
Yoga:
I woke myself up at the right time on the first day (courtesy: mobile
phone….that was used only for that purpose those three days). As our Yoga Guru
Mr.Suresh, taught us each Aasana from breathing exercise to the surya
namaskaram, he also explained us about the inner significance and the effect of
each one of them. The yoga session ended with little joint aches and muscle
pulls and not to forget to mention the beautiful yet simple Sharika who created
the awareness about each person’s Prakruthi(nature) as Vata, Pittha and kapha. The
Questionnaire really did help us discover our body and accordingly dietary
habits were advised. Breakfast then was a heavenly bliss!!I still couldn’t get
the secret ingredient.
Narasimhachaari
sir’s saathvika session kick started the camp with his quick wit and humor, the
aspect was beautigully rendered to us.
This
followed our dear CVC sir’s Angika session. It made me wonder as to no one else
could ever have the grip over Angika and Angshudham. He had also corrected my
“thadhi tha” and also many other minor flaws that we as dancers had. Vasanthalakshmi
ma’am (or vasantha “akka”) who still had the same charm and prettiness, still
afresh, could only be the right person to teach us “aharya” Abinaya.
Theoretically explaining the nuances of Aharya from the Natya Sastra, she threw
light upon those aspects. Janaki akka then went about reading out the list of
performers for the day. As my name was not on the day’s list, I volunteered to
compere for the performance.
Dr.Sudha
Seshayyan- A person who strikes a balance between the two polar ends –Medicine
and Literature. Citing examples from tamil poetry, she urged us to find
“spaces” and read in between the lines that made us wonder the scope of the
verses. “Yen thayum enakkarul thandhaiyum” was a line that we explored and I
was stunned when I learnt that even the word “Kandha” was no ordinary name but
had a deeper meaning. Then was the music session by OS Arun anna. He stupefied
all of us with his mesmerizing voice and his down to earth nature. We were
asked to do the sanchari for the pallavi of the classic Varnam Mohamaana with a
great sense of musical and thanam sync that was a tough task. Tougher was when
no one could manage imagining after a particular point. The homework sessions were also interactive
where we had raised doubts to Dr.Sudha about our “homework” song based on the
Ramayana.
As I
got myself ready clad in a saree, I was thrilled about holding the mike and
compere in front of stalwarts like CVC Sir and others. Two of us were the
masters of ceremony. Once the showcase got over, we proceeded to the temple for
“Dolotsavam”. I had witnessed such an event only on the television before. The
Lord with his consort was placed on the swing richly embellished. The aura of
the deities, the mesmerizing voice of OS Arun, the eager villagers around and a
dancing space that was only few millimeters away from the lord- What else would
a dancer need!!!I felt the complete surrender at that moment. No reviews, no
critics, and not a pinch of tension! Each one of us felt equal before the lord.
We danced for extensive range of songs from slow emotional padams to vivacious
Kolattam songs. Truly such a stress buster it was. Then again the tastiest
dinner! (It still kept me wondering about that secret ingredient!)
Day
2:
Yoga
sessions started off early in the morning…. We received worthy feedbacks
concerning our postures and other aspects of dance. He gave us suggestions
about the stamina aspects. After breakfast it was OS Arun Sir’s session again.
We discussed many songs from the fusion piece “Ka Ka Ka Thunga” which made our
imagination go wild but finally it turned out to be just a kathak bol. It was
then the time to experiment with our movements and adavus. CVC Sir again led us
through some jathis …the special one being the “dhalangu” jathi. In order to illustrate the need of aharya
abhinaya, Vasantha akka projected some excerpts from their productions so that
we may practically grasp the facets of it. The Narasimhacharis even proved
their grip in the laya aspect …Chari Sir being a good percussionist himself! We
had a short photo session with the whole group and broke for lunch! “Oru Kal
oru kannadi” (a song from a latest tamil flick)- even that wasn’t left
untouched as Dr.Sudha lead us through almost all faces of literature…from a
nursery rhyme to a great literature works where we had to find “spaces” to
bring out hidden meanings. Before the next session of OS Arun anna would begin,
we were ready to experience the musical journey he was going to take us
through! The thodi raga was handled by anna with high sense of beauty and
precision. Then was the time to showcase our talents….we three of us danced for
“Arabhimaanam” a ragamaalika for which we received good comments and few
corrections as well…
Well
then….Garuda seva was the next plan on our list. I was still in my dance costumes and headed
to the temple. Nadaswaram and Tavil vidwans
who toured wide internationally were playing for the lord. We gathered around
in front of the lord seated over the magnificent Garuda. Both of them shone in ultimate lusture and
that was an aesthetic treat to the eyes. The
dancing at one instant included CVC Sir, Chari Sir, Vasanth akka, Janaki
akka, village kids and myself holding hands in a circle and dancing to one of a
joyous folk number. What a moment it was to stand…rather dance alongside great
dancers and connoisseurs! I had the time of my life! Sathgurunadha Gnananandha!
Yes.. After another mouth watering dinner I went off to bed!
DAY
3
Yoga
sessions in the fresh air and the mild sounds of the morning chant in the
temples made our meditation experience not only healthy but religious as well.
We had to rush to a Lakshmi temple nearby for the Pada puja then breakfast…!
There was the poetry session that followed suite then the usual angika sessions
that took us through tricky and mindboggling adavus and jathis…. Then followed
a Valedictory function…where we received our certificates and had good
interactions among us! We all had our own photo sessions this time! After lunch
and our pack-up we went to the main temple for the Kalyanotsavam to witness the
marriage of the Lord! Each and every aspect was explained by the head priest
and with a heavy heart we had to leave from the beautiful village!! Angika,
Vachika,Aharya and Satvika abhinaya was given to us by means of a holistic and
a disciplined approach! As I sat near the window inside the bus waiting for the
bus to start off to Chennai I started to wonder as to what did the camp not
give us?! It gave us dance, music, poetry, positive vibrations, spiritual
outlook towards everything we do….and upon everything the delicious food….I
recognized that “secret ingredient” in the food as love…towards God and other living
beings that made the food as tasty as ever! And not to forget our own thinnai
discussions where we had a great time sharing our knowledge and discussing home
works! As I pondered upon these I joined my fellow members singing happily to
wide range of numbers forming teams and competing, to add even that bit of fun
element to make a complete trip! My first ever trip to Thennangur has given me
a lifetime experience and I wholeheartedly thank the Natyarangam committee for
selecting me as a worthy candidate to participate in this! Radhey Krishna!
Radhey Krishna!
