Roshni Sajiv Kumar

Roshni Sajiv Kumar, currently a Chemical Engineering PhD student at University of Alberta, has been training in Bharatanatyam since the age four under the guidance of Smt. Vijayalakshmi. Following this, she started her training in Mohiniyattam at the age of five under the guidance of Sri. Sasi Kottakkal. Along with Mohiniattam, she has also received training in other classical dance forms such as Kerala Nadanam and Kuchipudi under the same guru. She has been performing since 2009 on various platforms. She has also been the recipient of various accolades at different competitions. Roshni is also a trained Carnatic and Hindustani vocalist.

About the dance form - Mohiniyattam :

Mohiniyattam, is an Indian classical dance form that was developed in the state of Kerala, India. Mohiniyattam dance gets its name from the word Mohini – a historical enchantress avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu, who helps the good prevail over evil by developing her feminine powers. Mohiniyattam's roots, like all classical Indian dances, are in the Natya Shastra – the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text on performance arts. However, it follows the Lasya style described in Natya Shastra, which is a dance that is delicate, eros-filled and feminine. The repertoire of Mohiniyattam includes music in the Carnatic style, singing and acting a play through the dance, where the recitation may be either by a separate vocalist or the dancer themselves.

Dance Form : Mohiniyattam

Title : Nrithyathi Nrithyathi 

Song Mame : Nrithyathi Nrithyathi

Roshni will be presenting a Mohiniyattam repertoire on a Swathi Thirunal composition, 'Nrithyathi Nrithyathi'. This composition is set to Raagam Shankarabharanam and Aadi thalam. This piece is composed in praise of Lord Shiva. The composition depicts the following picture. Lord Shiva dances to the syllable "dhrkttom dhrkttom". He is always spotless in form; bestows auspiciousness and knowledge to the dependents who worship the lord in the evenings. With gem studded anklets in his legs sounding "ghana ghana'', he is worshiped with reverence by Indra and other celestial gods. The composer describes Lord shiva as; the one who takes delight in the sound of "dumu dumu" played in the Damaruka by Nandikesvara; the one who is adorned with a crescent moon; the one who is the consort of Devi Parvathi;  the one who is skillful in dispelling the miseries of the hapless; and the one who opposed Yama and is among the host of virtuous ones.

Choreography by: Sri. Sasi Kottakkal

Composition rendered by: Sri. Arun Gopinath