Keerthanam - “Nee Uraipai Hanumane” - Raagamaalika - Adi taala - Bharatanatyam (Kalakshetra baani)

This home performance of Nee uraipai Hanumaane is primarily for Vinata’s students, but also for others who might be interested in learning this piece in the Kalakshetra baani. The explanation upfront is meant to help those less familiar with the gestural language of Bharatanatyam to follow this story, which is an episode from the Ramayana. I have always enjoyed this piece because of its reversal of roles where Rama (the divine incarnate) is in distress and is asking his friend Hanuman for help. It is also testament to the Ramayana’s ample description of loving friendship across differences. My sincere thanks to my friend Mary for letting me use her beautiful dance studio space for this. "Nee Uraipai Hanumane" Episode from the Rama Naatakam by Arunachala Kavi Tamizh Raagamaalika Adi taala Choreography: Guru Rukmini Devi Arundale of Kalakshetra with additional swarams composed and choreographed by her student Guru Vasanta Vedam