Meera comes alive

The journey of Meera Bai, from a Rajput princess to a mystic poetess, is a glimpse into a determined, dedicated and devoted love that knows no reason. And showcasing this through the life of Meera were 17 disciples of renowned Bharatnatyam guru, Hemamalini Arni, known for her elaborate ballet productions, at Ravindra Bharati on Saturday.
Set to haunting Hindustani ballads, the Bharatnatyam ballet, Remembering Meera, was a graceful blend of two unique dance and music forms. Meera’s transformation from a love-struck teenager, cavorting about with her maids, to a beautiful woman whose love turns into a obsessive devotion, unfolds through the songs of the roaming mendicants who play soothsayers of her destiny. Played brilliantly by Sharmila Taneja, Meera was a treat to watch as her mind crazed by the delirium of love, plays tricks on her and makes her yearn for her object of affection — Lord Krishna, played by Ishita Jaiswal. Meera’s encounter with a peacock, played by Malvika Bishnoi, who taunts her love-lorn plight, was impressive.
Meera is soon married off to Bhoja Raj, the Rana of Mewar, played by Urmi Prasad, who is uncomfortable with his wife’s growing fixation with Lord Krishna. The Rana’s sister, played by the emotive Sathvika Ranganathan, was a scorned woman in all her wrath. In a magnificent scene, complemented by frenzied strains of aadu pambe, she attempts to poison Meera. The inner conflict in her impassioned ‘To kill or not to kill’ sequence was palpable. The pious Meera however, emerges unscathed, only to be sent into exile by her furious husband.
Shedding her royal trappings, glorious in all her simplicity, Meera braves the external and inner battles and is united with her Lord after attaining Nirvana.
Visually, the ballet was a spectacle, complete with elaborate sets, backdrops, ornate costumes and special effects too.
Hemamalini Arni’s choreography that brought the characters alive on stage was complex, yet oozed effortlessness. Singers Vinati Udiyavar and Vinay Patankar’s renditions of Hindustani songs were extraordinary. Ravi Kiran’s playful tunes on the flute were a delight. Sai Kumar on the violin, Nanda Kumar on the sitar, Sridharchari on the percussion and Murali on tabla were commendable. In all, it was a 90 minutes well-spent.