Dancers Priyadarshini Govind and Mythili Prakash in the play 'Flame of the Forest'

Click here to see the pictures of the play

The famous historic novel by the Tamil writer 'Kalki' Krishnamuthy, Sivakamiyin Sapatham' revolves around the Pallava Empire and a dancer - Sivakami.
Inspired by the novel, his granddaughter Gowri Ramnarayan brought it in the form of a modern theatre performance, which had geetam (classical music), nrithyam (dance) and natyam(theatre).

'Flame of the Forest' produced by JustUs Repertory was staged recently at the Museum Theatre, Chennai.

Dancer Mythili Prakash played the role of young Sivakami. Twenty five years later, Sivakami surrenders herself to God and the matured role of Sivakami was performed by dancer Priyadarshini Govind.

Gowri has introduced Paranjothi, the Pallava general, who later became ascetic, who narrates the story to Sivakami after she returns from Vathapi. The flashback during the narration had both the young and the old Sivakamis dancing together on stage!

Carnatic vocalists Savitha Narasimhan and Akhila Ramnarayan lent their voices for the songs in the play.

Special jathis were composed exclusively for this play by Bhagavathulu Seetharama Sharma and Mythili Prakash danced to these jatis as Sivakami. The costumes by vintage Kalakshetra added colour and aesthetics to the characters. .

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