Bharatanatyam dancer Gayathri Chandrashekar has performed Sri Rama Charitham for over four decades, portraying 14 characters from the Ramayana in a solo performance that traces Lord Rama’s journey. This year, she will present the one-hour production during the Mysuru Dasara festivities on October 13.
Originally choreographed by her teacher as a 20-minute piece when Gayathri was just 12, the production has evolved over the years into what she describes as an “experience of a lifetime”.
‘Sri Rama Charitham has evolved with me’
It started off as a small 20-minute Padam when I was a kid, choreographed by my teacher. I have made it into a piece that is almost an hour and 15 minutes long,” she says. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in Bengaluru Stay updated with the latest Bengaluru news.
The timeless appeal of the epic, she says, helps audiences connect with its characters, even if they are unfamiliar with Bharatanatyam. The character has to be brought out in such a way that the audience is able to understand the story and relate to it,” she says. “From the body language of a Rakshasa to a God, to Sita, who has a completely feminine energy, to Hanuman, who embodies valour, the characterisation has worked in my mind for many years,” she says.
The distinctive feature of Sri Rama Charitham is that Gayathri portrays every character herself, from Rama, Sita and Lakshmana to Ravana, Hanuman and Shabari. Rather than changing costumes for each role, she relies on expressions, body language and movement to bring each character to life. Her students will join her in selected portions of the production, which culminates in Rama’s coronation. “I have performed this many times. Over the years, it has evolved with me. Gayathri believes the story of Lord Rama is equally relevant to the festivities, which also celebrate his triumph over Ravana While many classical dance performances during Navaratri focus on Goddess Durga. “Ramayana is evergreen. ‘Switching between characters comes from within; it doesn’t need costumes’ Moving between divine, demonic and human characters in a matter of seconds requires years of training and a deep understanding of their personalities. Gayathri relies on subtle shifts in posture, expression and energy to make each transition distinct. This year’s performance holds special significance for Gayathri as she presents Sri Rama Charitham at Mysuru Dasara for the first time, at Jaganmohan Palace. Download the TOI App.