Melattur Bhagavata Mela Natya Nataka Sangam: A Cultural Extravaganza
Every May, the village of Melattur near Thanjavur comes alive with the vibrant celebration of Narasimha Jayanthi, a Hindu festival of great significance. The village, known for its rich artistic heritage, hosts a fortnight-long Nritya-Nataka Utsavam, showcasing the unique cultural offerings stemming from its artistic legacy.
Artistic Legacy: Melattur has been a breeding ground for exceptional artistes, composers, and personalities whose contributions to the arts have been unparalleled. The plays composed by the eminent playwright Melattur Venkatarama Sastri continue to be enacted, honoring the village’s artistic traditions.
Sustaining Tradition: Organizing a festival like Bhagavata Mela is no small feat, but thanks to the efforts of dedicated artistes and art enthusiasts, the festival thrives to this day. The legacy is carried forward by the family of the late dance guru Melattur S. Natarajan, with his brother Kumar ensuring a wider audience appreciates the cultural significance of the tradition.
Cultural Outreach: Embracing modern platforms, the entire festival is livestreamed for global audiences. Kumar’s initiative to demystify the tradition through videos on the group’s official YouTube channel has garnered wider appreciation. Performance opportunities are also extended to budding dancers and dance schools, enriching the tradition with fresh talent.
Harmonious Blend of Music and Drama: The Bhagavata Mela dramas are a musical delight, with each Telugu drama penned by Venkatarama Sastri showcasing traditional daruvus rich in literary and musical devices. The orchestral ensemble led by Tiruvaiyaru Brothers enriches the performances, perfectly complementing the dancers’ movements on stage.
Role of Instruments: Instruments like the violin and flute, played by seasoned instrumentalists, add depth to the musical interludes. The mridangam, played by Nagai P. Sriram, provides rhythmic support, essential for the repetitive nature of the musical pieces in the dramas.
Character Portrayals: Lead performers like Kumar and Srikanth Natarajan bring characters like Harischandra and Chandramathi to life with their nuanced performances. Each character’s essence is captured through expressive dance and emotive storytelling, showcasing the depth of Bhagavata Mela’s dramatic narratives.
Inter-generational Participation: The inclusive nature of Bhagavata Mela sees participants from various age groups, from children portraying key roles to seasoned performers like octogenarian R. Varadarajan. Encouragingly, the tradition is passed down to younger generations, ensuring its continuity and vitality.
Cultural Preservation: To enhance audience engagement, providing translations of the Telugu dialogues and lyrics in Tamil or English could make the dramas more accessible to a wider audience, further highlighting the literary brilliance of Venkatarama Sastri.
As the cultural legacy of Melattur continues to thrive through Bhagavata Mela, its timeless tales and enchanting performances captivate audiences, bridging the gap between tradition and modernity.