Innovation in classical dance format was the central attraction of Madhuboni Chatterjee’s Bharatnatyam recital, presented by Rasika Ranjan Sabha in their Golden Jubilee Celebration at Thyagaraja Hall on February 3.

The programme started with Mahisasura mardini, an invocation to the Goddess of power. Based on the slokas from Sri Sri Chandi and Bhagabati Stotram, it was devotion personified. Chatterjee’s interpretation was enhanced by pure bharatnatyam movements and static postures. She was supported by Shyamal Chakraborty and Rudraveena Das. It was followed by Jrishnani begani baro, an abhinaya number almost synonymous with Bala Saraswati, a doyen of Bharatnatyam. The sahitya gave the dancer an ample scope to exhibit her prowess at abhinaya. The graceful movements, rich in visual aesthetics and rhythmic sense, made the repertoire an enjoyable one. Music by Mohan Vaidya brought out the drama of this vatsalya number. Lalita Labangalata, an ashtapadi from Jaydeva’s Geetgovinda was an altogether innovative presentation. Manoj Murali Nayar painted the colours of spring with his melodious voice. Different characters like Sita, Chitrangada, Draupadi, Radha were chosen in Navarasa Nayeki to express navarasa or nine moods through various sequences.