Music in Movement

Amalgamating the two styles — Bharatanatyam and Odissi — Valli and Mudgal, maintained visual harmony by dressing similarly but without letting go of their own forms. While Valli stuck to her strong stance and moved within it, Mudgal kept the lyricism of Odissi intact. What was common was flat-footed stomps, sharp movements and a smile that never left their performance. Clean lines and symmetry saw the two turn this upbeat piece into an aural treat. In parts, it did seem that Mudgal was trying to catch up with Valli, whose sculptural body moved in perfect tandem with rhythm and melody. But the moment the two aligned their speed and stance, one knew this performance would stay with the audience for a while.

Before the performance, the two dancers showcased solo pieces. While Valli’s nritta was old-school Pandanallur style, Mudgal, 63, experimented with a thumri and Kathak, followed by an invocation to the rivers and the earth. This was preceded by a pallavi that celebrated life.

But the solo clearly belonged to Valli with her mesmerising varnam. Valli’s articulate introduction to each piece came with expressions and movements. She presented a rare composition of 15th century Bhakti poet Annamacharya, where the devotee was anguished, as he grappled with his overwhelming longing for the sacred. Valli captured the intensity of emotion through bhaav and great finesse. It was interesting to see how her toes coiled and were in sync, as if not wanting to let go of even half a mridangam beat.

It was followed by a sensuous javali, which was one of the more evocative pieces of the evening. The nayika in this one longed for her beloved and asked her friend to bring him to her. Valli wasn’t the sad, pining heroine. Through her abhinaya, she was a woman who celebrated her desire. The rhythmic precision, fluttering hands, and every mudra that followed defined that the 58-year-old remains one of the finest Bharatanatyam exponents in the country. Her final moment came with absolute stillness, darkness and happiness, one that left the audience in a state of absolute bliss.