Mithun Shyam
\| Photo Credit: K. Pichumani

Mithun Shyam, disciple of Padmini Ramachandran, presented an engaging Bharatanatyam recital at the Music Academy's Mid-Year dance festival 2026. He commenced with Thodayamangalam in ragas Kedara and Husseni, setting the tone for the evening. This was followed by a traditional alarippu in Sankarabharanam, set to Rupaka tala.

The centrepiece of the recital was Veenai Sesha Iyer’s varnam ‘Devadhi deva’, choreographed by Padmini Ramachandran, and set in raga Shanmukhapriya, Adi tala. Preceded by a virutham in raga Revathi, the piece invoked Nataraja of Chidambaram through the Bhikshatanar episode from the Darukavana legend.

Mithun vividly portrayed Shiva’s manifestation as the radiant mendicant who humbles the ritualistic sages, whose fury culminates in the release of a tiger, serpent, deer, fire and Apasmara — all of which Shiva effortlessly subdues and transforms into symbols of his cosmic dance. Interwoven with these episodes was the devotee’s heartfelt plea for the Lord’s grace, the removal of past karmas and reassurance amidst moments of longing and doubt. While remaining faithful to his guru’s choreography, Mithun lent a distinct touch to the sancharis, bringing freshness to the timeless composition.

He next presented the seventh Ashtapadi ‘Maamiyam chalitha’, from Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda, set in raga Sindhubhairavi (Misra Chapu). The composition explores a rare and deeply introspective facet of Krishna. Departing from the familiar image of the playful deity, Krishna is portrayed in this composition as a remorseful lover, tormented by the memory of having failed to recognise Radha’s anguish and watching her leave in hurt and jealousy. As he wanders through the forest in despair, he reflects on his folly, yearning for her return and realising that life without her is bereft of meaning. Through evocative abhinaya, Mithun brought out the emotions well. A change of costume marked the transition into the second half of the evening’s recital.

Mithun concluded the recital with a thillana in raga Brindavani, Adi tala, composed by the legendary M. Balamuralikrishna, followed by Purandaradasa’s mangalam in raga Sindhubhairavi (Adi Tala).

Overall, the recital was marked by graceful movements, crisp adavus and precise footwork, reflecting Mithun’s rigorous training in the form.

The orchestra comprised Shashank Kiron Nair on the nattuvangam, vocalist Ajeesh Menon, Dhanush Natampalli on the mridangam, B. Ananthakrishnan on the violin and Maheswar Swamy on the flute.

Published - July 22, 2026 02:11 pm IST