The childhood days of Krishna in Gokulam and Vrindavan always attract the dancers for they give ample scope for choreography. Also the compositions on this pretty child, describing the beautiful youth with a glowing complexion the color of rain clouds.
He plays a flute, attracting the hearts of all. His smile enchanting, He wears a peacock feather on curly black hair.
The stories about the days he spent with His mother and friends in Gokulam are strung together and presented as thematic productions.
But, the Kalakshetra faculty, Shijith Nambiar, who produced Krishna says that he was inspired by his thematic presentation of Narayaneeyam by Narayana Bhattadri during the annual Natyarangam festival in Chennai held last year.
His research on Krishna continued and his maiden production is just out.
This production was premiered in Kuwait during May 2007.
The co-dancers in this production are all from Kalakshetra. Shijith Nambiar, the choreographer of ‘Krishna’, has used the traditional classical compositions to tell the stories of Krishna.
Held at the Bharata Kalakshetram auditorium on Sep. 11, the opening of the dance was to the full house. The swift movements and the utmost use of the large stage were the plusses while there were too many artistes on stage during most part of the production, each one presenting a different abhinaya. A less attentive user could miss a beautiful abhinaya!
'Paarkadal alai mele', M. L. Vasanthakumari's famed song was a mixture of dance and drama. 'Krishna nee begane baro' depicting mother Yashoda's love for Krishna followed by 'Gaana mazhai pozhigindran', a song by Ambujam Krishna were presented passionately.
Through the composition 'Govardhana giridhara' by Narayana Teertha, Shijith Nambiar brought the rainy season of Gokulam on stage. The Kalinga Narthanam piece used the theatrics with blue clothes as the waves in the little pond.
'Jamuna Kinare' and Chaliye Kunjan me' a Hindi composition by Maharaja Swati Tirunal marked a perfect ending.
Though a long production, the music and the brisk actions on the stage kept the audience hooked to their seats.
The music arrangements by O. S. Arun and Easwer Ramakrishnan gave the compositions a touch, suitable for the dance movements.
