Javali Jalam – the magic of Javalis

The multiple aspects of love involving different heroines in different situations have been aesthetically presented by ‘Padmabhushan’ Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan, (‘Maami’ – to her students)the legendary abhinaya exponent.

Aided by four lively Javalis from the repertoire of well-known composers, Maami explores the torment and turbulence, the fears and fancies, the desires and dilemmas of the lovelorn women.

She does it with a tilt of the head and turn of the eyes backed by the hands that fold and unfold in various shapes and styles depicting countless characters, objects and emotions. It is a unique language; a magic conjured up a medley of meaningful lyrics, mellifluous music and a matchless artiste described by natyashastras as abhinaya!

Concept & Presentation byPriyadarsini Govind

‘Itu sahasamulu’

• Saindhavi-Adi-Swathi Thirunaal
• A mugdha nayika proffers excuses to her lover and promises of better times

‘Samayamidhe gaadhura’

• Mayamalava gowla-Roopaka- Chinnayya
• A parakiya nayika hurriedly turns away her clandestine lover.

Samayamidhe ra ra

• Bihak-Roopakam-Patnam Subramanya Iyer
• The furtive invitation from a parakiya nayika to her paramour

Annamayya

• ‘Alugaka kootami’-Bilahari-Adi
• “You say life is unexciting without a quarrel, but when we do quarrel, life seems to stop”, complains a nayika.

‘Apathuru kulo naithine’

• Kamaj-Eka talam-T Pattabhiramiah
• Subjected to the ridicule of people around, an abhisarika nayika bemoans her fate

‘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.