Varnams Length

rs07801 · Post by **rs07801** » 25 Nov 2008, 00:33

If a varnam is long, can one shorten it by any manner and still keep to the intent of the varnam. Any suggestions or approaches shall be appreciated. The varnams is almost 35 minutes long.

Rasikaas · Post by **Rasikaas** » 25 Nov 2008, 11:52

Hi!

Well if you ask me ,there are various ways to do it..
1. if there are 5 kais for each stanza of the purvangam (then done to the right and left), you may cut it to 3..
2. Painfully ,you could take off the sancharis out of it, if it is a totally uninitiated audience who you think wont enjoy
3. Desist from doing too long theermans inbetween paragraphs.

But do not perform either the purnvangam/uttarangam (1st or second half). there is no aspect of completion without the 2 halves. I have seen a few being performed like that and it is indeed not very appealing! Imagine seeing swami Nan unthan adimai without the Nataraja deva being performed..I have seen it done both these ways and think when my Guru used to say her varnam is only 35 mins is it Ok? pathetic!
For me though I wont personally approve on any of these, the above three are way better than the afore said clipping!
And if necessary instead of a varnam think if a shorter shapdam will do instead.

poonmahe · Post by **poonmahe** » 25 Nov 2008, 21:07

Hello,

I have heard quite a few Vernams that are designed for 10 mins of performances. It still feels a complete song. Usually there is Tirnamanam- Sahitya, Mukkal Tirmanam - Sahitya then Charanam followed by one Pallavi and Anupallavi. Try doing that and see how it feels.

Thanks
Poonam

avnipriya · Post by **avnipriya** » 25 Nov 2008, 22:39

10 mins Varnams are very interesting.

Rasikaas · Post by **Rasikaas** » 26 Nov 2008, 05:45

yes would love to know more about them!

avnipriya · Post by **avnipriya** » 26 Nov 2008, 06:59

As I know they were composed for dancing competition.

rs07801 · Post by **rs07801** » 26 Nov 2008, 18:31

What then would be the average size of a varam in an arangetram. I am trying to find out if there is any specific lenghth beyond which one might loose the audience

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 27 Nov 2008, 00:58

The varnams I had seen recently during a couple of arangetrams were 35+ minutes. I do agree that the dirve-by rasikas lose the plot after a while. I am also amazed that the dancer has the stamina to dance for 35+ minutes without a break. May be 18-20 minutes is a good compromise. I just checked. The length of this famous MLV rendition of the varnam 'sami nan undan adimai' is 18 minutes.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 27 Nov 2008, 01:54

The standard pada varNam is very beautifully constructed so that despite the length, the abhinaya segments form a wonderful 'rest' after the nritta portions, be it for the jatis in the pUrvAngam or the svaras in the uttarAngam. sancAris offer an ever longer period for the dancer to catch his/her breath. I think it will be a pity to shorten them. 25 to 35 minutes should be fine.

Umesh · Post by **Umesh** » 27 Nov 2008, 06:10

About half an hour is solid for a padavarnam. Arangetrams often feature varnams that are 20-25 minutes, but I have seen young students dance 30+ min varnams for their arangetrams. I still remember that my Dad and I would attend arangetrams and time the varnam to see how long each girl danced! Personally, for an arangetram, I would not go over 25-30 mins, unless the dancer is exceptional.

Rasikaas · Post by **Rasikaas** » 27 Nov 2008, 17:33

Umesh said it right. I recently had a rasika who emailed to me her grievance at having to sit through a poor varnam in an arangetram for 30 mins. She called it " Kodumai Kodumaiyo". But I have sat enthralled at varnams by dancers losing track of time and space.

As pointed out earlier the stamina, talent of the dancer and the interest or knowledge of the audience in BN should determine the length.
Avg. Human concentartion span is around 20 mins. So some where around that would be a safe bet

lol4512 · Post by **lol4512** » 13 Jun 2009, 12:16

my teacher has varnams which goes for at least 60 minutes for arangetrams it sounds longer if you say 1 hour

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 13 Jun 2009, 16:04

A pada varnam (singing swaram and sahityam) without repetition or jathis would probably last around 8 minutes. The dancer has the freedom to add repetitions, jathis and other expansions for sanchari bhava to bring the varnam to the desired time required. Probably at least 2 jathi sections should be added and then at least 2 lines of the varnam (pallavi or anupallavi) should be expanded. This would bring the minimum time of the varnam to 15-20 minutes.