The haloed evening of August 4 at the sprawling Chowdiah Hall on Palace road, Bengaluru, was thoroughly sanctified by an ode to the peace and tranquility of the Sat, Treta, and Dwapar Yugas, as also to the divinity of Nirguna Brahman, who is beyond all concepts of time and space. The literal and lateral movers and shakers of this miracle was a dynamic Guru – Shishya duo, which together with a marvelous team of musicians, orchestrated a judicious blend of art, science, and spirituality on stage.
This was the Nritya Samarpanam by Dr. Aagnika Ajaikumar, disciple of Vidwan Shridhar Jain of Sri Nimishambha School of Dance, which harmoniously underscored the essence and significance of dance as a therapeutic exercise, an amalgamation of highly graceful and rhythmic bodily movements laced with the whole gamut of evocative facial expressions. Vidwan Naveen’s astounding vocal range and absolute mastery over high and low notes left the discerning members of the audience mesmerized; Aagnika is indeed blessed to have an accomplished artiste of his caliber in the troupe.
True to her name, Aagnika kindled the evocative image of a sacred fire in the hearts and minds of the audience the moment her feet pervaded the podium. What ensued was poetry in motion as she set the auditorium ablaze with her grace and dexterity. Every act was a sincere expression of organic exuberance; reflective of her character and persona as a doctor-dancer. In the coming years, she will surely move up the value chain of excellence and fulfilment to take her craft to the level of enduring art.
Whether the inaugural Pushpanjali with Shloka-Gowri Nandana, Mishra Alaripu, Antha Pura Geethe- Eeni Mahanandave, Padam-Indendu Vachitivira, Daru Varna-Maathe Mallaya Dwaja, Ardhanarishwara Dance, Tillana-Pancharatha, or the concluding Mangalam, her graceful isolation of head, shoulders and neck, as also elegant torso movements were a sight to behold, so were her facial expressions especially in conveying the angst of the ‘Khanditaa’ Nayika, who is visibly offended by her lover’s infidelity (the million-dollar gesture of locking the door bolt astutely underlined the finality of the act.)
The Ardhanarishwar performance was the resounding highlight of the event, hailing the inseparable, all-pervasive feminine and masculine energies of the cosmos, symbolizing the divine totality that extends way beyond the insular concept of duality.
It was a rare privilege listening to the revered dignitaries who shared their invaluable insights on the momentous occasion. Dr. B S Ajaikumar, who epitomizes the peaceful co-existence of the medical with the metaphysical, provided an incisive context to the Ardhanarishwar concept, citing pertinent mythological and biological references in his inimitable style.
Our perception of the universe is invariably seeped in the pride and prejudice of a downright cerebral exercise, which explains why most of us struggle to let our intuition guide our intellect. Thankfully, the Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas provide us with all the actionable insights we need in our lifetime and beyond.
Aagnika’s Nritya Samarpanam, guided by her Guru’s Deeksha and given its inherent metaphorical significance, was an earnest appeal to the audience to dive deep into the depths of our cultural roots to relish and cherish the high-hanging fruits from the tree of enlightenment.
As a potent quatrain from Ardhanari Nateshwara Stotra says:
प्रदीप्तरत्नोज्ज्वलकुण्डलायै स्फुरन्महापन्नगभूषणाय ।
शिवान्वितायै च शिवान्विताय नमः शिवायै च नमः शिवाय ||
{Salutations to Goddess Parvathi and Lord Shiva: to her, wearing gem-studded earrings that glitter bright and to him, donning a stately serpent as his sole ornament; to her, who is merged into The Lord and to him, who is merged with the Goddess}