[quote]The epitome of dancing joy in Bharatanatyam, Alarmel Valli’s acclaimed exuberance as a dancer has now acquired a quieter side of internalised emotional richness, giving to her art a new dignity and depth, neither personality nor mannerisms over taking the presentation.
As homage to T. Muktha (granddaughter of Veenai Dhanammal and the last of that legendary family to leave this world on March 11 this year), Alarmel Valli’s performance in the packed IIC auditorium in New Delhi comprised padams and javalis from the great musical bani that the Brindamma/Mukthamma sisters represented, which found its greatest visualised dimension in the abhinaya of Balasaraswati.
Tough act to follow
A demanding tradition to emulate, the music of the Dhanammal school in its measured mellowness combined uncompromising classical purity with clarity of diction, and melody modulating rich emotional overtones — the totality enmeshing with the dance to create an aural/visual experience where the music painted images in the mind’s eye and the dance became sheer music.
Savita Narasimhan’s delightful vocal support combined exquisite melody with an austere sophistication in keeping with the Brinda/Muktha style.
Without any fussy fulsome introductions, the recital began to the melting notes of Charukesi singing “Anaittum neeâ€