[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="Indian ballet performed with grandeur and gusto" ids="29075,29076,29073,29074"] Hassan Cheruppa JEDDAH — The staging of an Indian ballet (dance drama styled in Bharata Natyam as its root) titled ‘Kannagi' with grandeur and gusto mesmerized the goodly crowd at the event. It was staged as part of the 15th anniversary of the Jeddah-based Mudra School of Dance at the Indian Consulate premises on Friday. More than 40 young artists performed in the program that gave the spectators a strong message of women's caliber, bravery and undying spirit of fighting injustice in the backdrop of a surge in incidents of violence against women back in India. The ballet was a harmonious synthesis of music, dance and drama with a fusion of high tech 3D mapping and watch out devices to virtually present a superb visual effect. It was directed by noted playwright and story writer Anil Narayana and conceived and choreographed by Shelna Vijay, renowned dance teacher who runs the Mudra School. Indian Consul General B.S. Mubarak and his wife Lathifa Mubarak jointly inaugurated the anniversary celebrations. Anil Narayana presided over the function, which started with prayer by Mirza Sharif. In his inaugural speech, Mubarak congratulated Mudra for presenting the program as it would be a big step in further boosting the deep-rooted cultural bonds that bind the two great nations since centuries. He said cultural diplomacy is needed for any country to project its soft image. "It is really heartening to see such programs being organized by the Indian community living in Jeddah. Mudra is projecting Indian culture among Saudis and also cultivating the true values of Indian culture among the community members," he said while drawing attention to the influence of MBC Bollywood in imparting the ethos of Indian culture among the people of Saudi Arabia. Speaking on the occasion, Narayana said that the program has been designed in such a way that while it entertains the audience with an aesthetic pleasure, it takes them to a remote past where the classic episode of Kannagi, the legendary icon of chastity, love and feminine strength, is revealed. "Such artistic performance will further empower women and gave them courage to stand up against the rising tide of violence and harassment," he said. Shelna Vijay welcomed the gathering in which she spoke about Mudra's successful track record in imparting training for aspirant children in classical, folk and traditional dance forms for around 15 years in the city. Vijaya Raghavan Perazhi, program coordinator and husband of Shelna, proposed a vote of thanks. Joshma Shibu was the anchor. The dazzling Bharata Natyam debut of two disciples of Shelna Vijay added grandeur and color to Mudra's annual fest. They were Caroline Thankachan, 10th standard student of International Indian School-Jeddah and Belda Ben Thomas, 6th class student of Al Wurood International School. Kannagi is the protagonist in "The Silappatikaram" or "The Tale of an Anklet", the first known epic poem in Tamil, written by Ilango Adigal. The epic revolves around Kannagi, who having lost her husband to a miscarriage of justice at the court of Neduncheliyan, the Pandyan ruler, wreaks her revenge on his dynasty. Regarded as one of the great achievements of Tamil genius, "The Silappatikaram" is a poetic rendition with details of Tamil culture; its varied religions; its town plans and city types; the mingling of Greek, Arab, and Tamil peoples; and the arts of dance and music. In addition, the poet weaves the social ethos of the times in which metaphors and personifications are used to deliver the story-line that is punctuated with seven basic elements that rule one's life — joy, sadness, adversity, forbidden pleasure, envy, lies and anger. The ballet thus presented a high tech visual treat and artistic fiesta while demonstrating the heroic life sketch of Kannagi, who was born and brought up in a very rich trader family. Kannagi was depicted as a chaste woman who led a peaceful life with husband Kovalan in Puhar, then the capital of Cholas. Later, Kovalan left Kannagi and settled at the house of Madhavi, who was a beautiful courtesan dancer, for some time, who leaves Kovalan at times of adversity. He goes back to Kannagi, who welcomes him joyously. Then, the duo start resurrecting their life in Madurai, the capital of Pandyas. While Kannagi stays in the outskirts of Madurai, Kovalan goes to the city to sell one of Kannagi's two ruby anklets to start a business. At the same time, the royal goldsmith, who had stolen a pearl anklet belonging to the queen, meets Kovalan and on learning the latter's business frames him. Though Neduncheliyan was a just ruler, he was reluctant to trust Kovalan, and has him beheaded after accusing of stealing the queen's pearl anklet. Kannagi went on to prove the innocence of her husband by storming into the court and breaking her other anklet to spill its rubies. The ruler suffers a heart attack and collapses as he had uttered a false and hasty judgment. As the guards and others rush to help him, in the ensuing confusion, Kannagi, in a fit of indignation with eyes sparkling with fire of vengeance, possibly takes a lamp/torch to set fire to the palace curtains, the raging fire is supposed to have destroyed half the city of Madurai. Kannagi, then fled Madurai and became popular as the devi of Vanchinad after reaching Kodungallur — in todays' Kerala — which is also significant as it is the seat of the Cheraman Juma Masjid, the first mosque built in the Indian subcontinent. The performance of Reshma Reji as Kannagi was highly captivating while Jefna Razak incarnated Madhavi in a fantastic manner. Kovalan was depicted by Bhaghylakshmi Iyer while her father Anantha Krishna Iyer and mother Lalitha Ananth performed as Pandya ruler and queen. Rania Madari, Neha Joji, Smrithi Saji, Jebby Joji, Amritha Arun, and Mohan Krishnan depicted other major characters in the ballet. The gifted children who made the performance vibrant with their graceful performance include Manasi Murali, Christina Jimmichan, Sharada Lakshmi Iyer, Athulia Saju, Ashli Anto, Aleena Shibu, Amritha Ajith, Malavika Nair, Amritha Prabhakar, Sri Lakshmi Madhu, Manju Murali, Caroline, Belda, Aleena Jimmichan, Fiyona, Adithya Anil, and Vinay Vijaya Raghavan Mithra Swami, Lakshmi Babu, Adra Pravin, Niharika Arun, Niveditha Joji, Riya Jimmi, Fida Rahoof, Ann Mary and Thisha Shijel. The program gave a novel and dazzling experience to the spectators, thanks to the fabulous visual effect of which the credit goes mainly to M.A Rahoof, the famous visual designer, and Anantha Krishna Iyer, who gave background music. Mohan Nooranad, Sunil Mangalasserry, Pyari Mirza, and Vijaya Raghavan Perazhi gave technical support.
