Nandini Ganesan's dance enthralls the audience

NEW YORK: America Tamil Sangam in association with Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple hosted eminent Mumbai-based Bharathanatyam dancer Nandini Ganesan for a dance recital in Hanuman temple auditorium in Glen Oaks in Long Island, New York this weekend.

Nandini commenced with a vibrant Oothukaadu Venkata Subbayar composition Ananda Narthana Ganapathim, an invocatory piece in praise of the dancing Lord Ganesha and continued with Shiva Panchaksharam Stotra where Shiva is described as the embodiment of five elements.

Nandini's central piece was the Padavarnam in Thodi, in the words of her grand-father which talks about the naayika waiting to unite with her Lord Karthik. The second half of the recital showcased a krithi on Sri Rama a popular composition of Mysore Vasudevacharya "brocche va re varura" where she briefly elaborated the episode of "gajendra moksham".

Nandini presented the musically lilting "Yennathavam Seidhane" of Papanasam Sivan, a piece filled with Vatsalya Bhava, where the divine relation of Yashoda and Krishna was portrayed in episodes like Yashoda seeing the universe in Krsihna's mouth and Krishna being tied to the barrel for his mischievous.

She concluded with a crisp thillana of M. D. Ramanathan that was preceded by a sloka describing Shiva as the "Kailasa". The melodious orchestral recording from the musicians of Chidambaram Academy of Performing Arts, Chennai and Kalasadan Institute of Fine Arts, Mumbai enhanced the performance.

Nandini, grand-daughter and disciple of Guru Shri Kalasadan Mani, Mumbai belongs to a family of dancers and musicians. Under the National Scholarship for Bharatanayam, from the Government of India, she underwent advanced training under the tutelage of doyenne of Bharatanatyam Chitra Visweswaran in Chennai.

John Joseph, executive vice president of America Tamil Sangam presided and said more exciting programs will be presented to New Yorkers in summer.  Jaya Sundaram, secretary introduced the artist. Dr Raj Madan, noted Long Island physician and founder of Madurai Medical College Alumni Associated honored the artist.