KOCHI:
The 45th Mohini Nrityotsav 2023, a two day dance festival organized by renowned dance institution Monisha Arts, Bengaluru will kick off with a Kuchipudi solo dance drama ‘Jwalamukhi’ performance by Ernakulam native Parvathy Menon, the renowned dancer and kerala high court advocate . This one of a kind performance will be staged at Ada Rangamandira, JC Road, Bengaluru on the 25th of this month at 5.45 PM. It is also the premier show of this Kuchipudi solo dance drama.
Kuchipudi is heavy in drama and is one of the very few artforms with Vacika Abhinaya (spoken word) integrated into it. Though dance dramas are common to the tradition, they are usually group productions with different artists essaying different character roles. However, Jwalamukhi is a Solo Dance Drama with Parvathy essaying all characters and still staying true to the essence of the artform.
Jwalamukhi , a solo dance drama based on Shivapurana, traces the life of Sati, the daughter of Daksha. A kuchipudi interpretation of the Sati Khanda from the text, it details the events from Daksha’s penance to Goddess Durga to Sati’s rejection of her body with her entering the Paramayoga state and her body burning to flames, making her Jwalamukhi, the flame that guarantees happiness and peace.
Monisha Arts, an initiative in tribute to the talented late actor and dancer Monisha by her mother and also a dancer and actor Sreedevi Unni, is completing 45 years of promotion of art and culture. Mohini Nrityotsav, the annual festival conducted by Monisha Arts, is a well anticipated festival of the nation, with different renowned artists presenting their artwork and promising a time filled with exponential art and immersion into the same for all audiences.
The fact that Parvathy Menon was selected for the first performance this time is considered as recognition of the artist’s commitment and talent towards dance. Advocate Parvathy Menon holds a diploma in Kuchipudi from Bengaluru Alliance University. She has been learning dance under the able tutelage of Guru Kalamandalam Mohanathulasi, Disciple of Natyakulaguru Padmabhushan Dr. Vempatti Chinna Sathyam, since childhood. She is also a recipient of the prestigious Scholarship for Young Artistes in Kuchipudi instituted by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), Ministry of Culture, Govt of India. Parvathy has performed at various prominent venues in the country. Presentations like ‘Ghanshyam’ and ‘Swathi Pranamam’ were very popular. Music direction for the dance drama is by Bijesh Krishna, rhythmic input by Kalamandalam Charudat and RLV Hemant Lakshman. The concept, composition and choreography are all done by Parvathy Menon herself. Parvathy Menon is the daughter of Kerala High Court lawyers Harishankar Menon and Meera Menon.
