It was all splendour and fluid movements. Every clang of chilanka (ankle bells) in sync with mudras while graceful postures complemented exquisite footwork.
Day One of the State School Arts Festival was a visual feast featuring a plethora of classical dance forms. The crowd, even though smaller at some venues, watched in rapt attention admiring every move and expression of the performer on stage. And the contestants danced with passion and versatility showcasing their skill in the most impressive manner.
Mohiniyattam that began at the main venue following the inaugural ceremony had ‘mohinis’ or enchantresses dancing to the tune of some beautiful compositions. They exuded charm and buoyancy as they swayed with the music, their movements delicate and lyrical. The dancers explored the layers of lasya as they progressed to codified ‘adavus’. Of late, there has been a clash of Kalamandalam and RLV styles, which seemed to be a cause for concern for many participants and their gurus. While a few danseuses opted for innovation and garnered kudos from the audience, most stuck to the traditional format.
