R. Muralidharan explores Bharatanatyam’s rhythmic dimensions

Bharatanatyam guru, composer and choreographer Madurai R Muralidharan presents ‘Saptatāla Laharī’, a three-day Bharatanatyam festival that celebrates the grandeur of the Sapta Sulādi tala system.

To be held from June 19 at Krishna Gana Sabha, it will showcase seven margams choreographed and performed in seven distinct talas.

For centuries, Bharatanatyam has flourished through a balance of tradition, scholarship, creativity and innovation. While rhythm (tala) forms one of the fundamental pillars of Indian classical dance, extensive exploration of the Sulādi Sapta tala system within the traditional margam structure has remained relatively rare.

Madurai R. Muralidharan
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Special Arrangement

Recognising this vast and untapped rhythmic landscape, Muralidharan embarked on a journey to integrate the 35 Sulādi Sapta talas into the Bharatanatyam repertoire.

Prior to Saptatāla Laharī, Muralidharan had presented 19 margams in 19 different talas drawn from the Sapta Sulādi tala system.

With the presentation of seven additional margams during this festival, the total will be 26 margams in 26 distinct talas.

The festival will feature Sankeerna Jathi Eka Talam – 9 aksharas; Misra Jathi Triputa Talam – 11 aksharas; Chathusra Jathi Matya Talam – 10 aksharas; Chathusra Jathi Jhampa Talam – 7 aksharas; Chathusra Jathi Triputa Talam – 8 aksharas; Thisra Jathi Rupaka Talam – 5 aksharas and Sankeerna Jathi Jhampa Talam – 12 aksharas

Each margam will consist of the traditional sequence of the Bharatanatyam repertoire: Pushpanjali, Alarippu, Kavithuvam, Jathiswaram, Varnam, Padam and Tillana.

Saptatāla Laharī also incorporates several uncommon ragas chosen to complement the rhythmic character of each tala. The festival features performances by dancers from around the country and abroad.

Following is the list of performances: Today, 5.30 p.m.: K. Sree Mourya; 7.15 p.m.: Kavya Muralidharan. June 20, 5 p.m.: Priyanka Sai Sankar and Padmavati Sai Sankar; 7.15 p.m.: Aishwarya Valli Kakulapati. June 21, 10.30 a.m.: Sriranjani Swaminathan, Lakshmi Ananthanarayan, Rekha Garg and Amritha Narayan; 5 p.m.: Shravya Suresh and 7.15 p.m.: Harini N.S.

Each day several eminent artistes will be present as chief guests.