The classical scene

Salangai in Sangamam – the second programme in two years, was presented at the Yarra Valley School Auditorium on May 29. It was a cooperative endeavour by four of Melbourne’s well known dance schools to put on a quality classical dance show using the talents of the schools’ senior students. They also provide a platform and opportunities for senior students to perform. The four schools were those of Shanthy Rajendran, Ushanthini Sripadmanathan, Narmatha Ravichandhira and Meenakshi Elankumaran.

This year, each of the schools presented a dance ballet of such good quality and finesse, all of which were finely executed and presented at a brisk pace, that one did not feel time go by at all. It was well organized and the fact that just one orchestra was retained for the entire duration of the evening’s programme helped – only the nattuvangists changed for each school’s performance.

Ushanthini Sripadmanathan’s school began with a dance ballet on one of the great heroes of the Mahabharata, Karna. The stories of Karna’s birth, his mother Kunti sending him down the river in the basket; Karna as a warrior and Duryodana’s friend – were all well choreographed and presented – setting the tone for the other schools that followed.

Shanthy Rajendran’s senior students presented a thematic dance on the Colours of the Rainbow – the only item of the evening that was not based on a puranic or itihasic tale. The high standard and quality of her senior dancers were evident from the moment that they graced the stage until the end of the item. Only accomplished dancers could pull off an abstract theme with such aplomb and the students proved themselves worthy of the challenge.

Meena Elankumaran’s dance ballet was a very entertaining depiction of the story of Lord Vinayaka and the Moon. The tightly scripted and choreographed item was performed with confidence by the dancers, and the story unfolded seamlessly.

The last item was a depiction of the pancha bhootas – and the Shiva temples and shrines associated with each ‘element’ of nature.