The theme “Sant Vani” (voice of saints) confined itself to just two women saints one from the north of India and the other diametrically from the south. Here Andal’s devotion was juxtaposed with that of Meera with the common objective of their devotion being Lord Vishnu in the form of Ranganatha/Krishna. Both these women saints left behind voluminous literature in the form of poetry as testimonials to their existence and spiritual pursuance. Bharatanatyam artiste Shreyasi Gopinath chose to voice Andal’s devotion through extracts from a very famous set of poems attributed to the Saint-Nachiyar Tirumozhi (sacred words of Nachiyar, the one who reigns). The all-encompassing emotion of passion was brought out convincingly by the dancer within the confines of her medium.

Source: The Hindu March 22, 2018 19:43 UTC