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Journalism of Courage
CHANDIGARH, Feb 26: Clad in the traditional brocade, wearing the ghungroo and the kada’, with long hair tied in a topknot, Navtej danced the dance of exultation. As he explained the intricacies of Bharatnatyam in chaste Punjabi, the expressive Navtej stood as a prime example of national integration.
His varnam’, which is considered to be a test of expertise and which blends the body with the soul, provided the sublime experience. And in the ashtapadi’, when he portrayed Radha’s plight, her agony, her exultation and her loneliness became those of the viewer too. For Navtej’s expressions and movements were so gripping that at one point when he described the kadamba tree’ under which the Blue Flautist did his natkhat leela’, one strangely felt the smell of the kadamba flower.
And Navtej had a strong accompaniment, led by Sadanam Rajgopal whose voice complemented his each bhava’ and mudra’. The rhythm of natuvangam’ was given by Sudha Jagannath and if his lasya’ had B.S.K. Panigrahi’s violin notes to boost, then his swiftness was enhanced by Lalgudi Sriganesh’s mridangam taal’.
When he commenced the programme, Navtej said, "I am happy today because I am dancing for my own people." Unfortunately, only about 50 of his co-Chandigarhians could witness their own boy who made the entire Punjab proud.
