Some powerful, pithy and passionate verses of Kshetrayya, the 17th century Telugu poet find articulation through a full-blown demonstration by 'Padmabhushan' Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan, the legendary abhinaya exponent. With ease and elegance, 'maami'- as she is affectionately called- unrolls layers and layers of the multiple dimensions of shrungara rasa in a unique language called abhinaya using her eyes, head, neck and also the hands that fold and unfold in various styles and shapes. Her furrowed face explodes into a kaleidoscope of emotions as she depicts the desires and dilemmas of lovelorn heroines.

It is a scintillating synergy involving verses animated by music and articulated by an ageless dance form.


Concept & Presentation by Priyadarsini Govind

Ayyayo vegatayana

• ('Payyada pai') - Nadha nama kriya-Trupuda
• A Virahotkhandita nayika pines and longs to be with her lover

Vadarake povey('Athi yuka yukamu')

• Kambhoji-Trupuda
• Enfeebled and exasperated by the long separation from her lover, the heroine sends word through her friend asking him not to come

Nan etikku pomanerey

• Panthuvarali-Trupuda
• A Mugdha nayika winces in horror over her escapades with her lover

Valappu dasa neraney

• Varali-Misrachapu
• The heroine's abundant love for her man explodes with awesome intensity

Yela vachitivey

• Navroj-Trupuda
• How did your feet carry you away from your beloved? Don't you know how much he suffers on account of this separation?- is the sakhi's poser to the heroine.