Charan is a community based in Gujarat and Rajasthan known for their literary skills and verbal (speech and singing) abilities. Charani Sahitya, Literature and poems are an integral part of the identity of the Charans and whole genre of literature is known as Charani literature. 'Bherkar Bherkar Jogmaya', a new production by 'Kalashree' Smt. Ayswaria Wariar, is a unique amalgamation of Charani Sahitya through Dance, Music and Visual Media.
Smt. Ayswaria Wariar, a Mohiniyattam Exponent, hails from a family of artistes. She was initiated into the art of classical dance at the tender age of five by her mother Smt. Sreebala Menon. Subsequently, she was trained in the two styles of Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam under eminent Gurus Shri Udyogamandal Vikraman, Smt. Kalamandalam Sarasvati, Smt. Sucheta Bhide Chapkar and Padmabhushan Shri Kavalam Narayana Panikar.
"The Charans are well known for their bravery, literature, sharp mind and the worship of Motherland. They were treated with much respect by other communities. Many female deities were born into Charans such as Avad, Karni and the famous Khodiyar and they were also known as Deviputra, the sons of Goddesses. Hence the members of this caste are considered to be divine by a large section of society. Women of this caste are adored as Mother Goddesses by other major communities of this region including Rajput Kings. All Charan Maha Shaktis are represented with the word Aai Ma, for example Aai Shree Khodiyar Maa and Aai Shree Sonal Maa”, says Smt. Ayswaria Wariar.
It is exactly this importance and respect given to the women in the Charan community which struck Smt. Ayswaria Wariar as a worthy subject to bring out through her medium of classical dance. Hailing from the Land of Kerala wherein the Nair community which followed a matriarchal system too gave considerable importance to their women clan and the Mother Goddess Ideology. "I was inspired to depict the story of a Charan woman through the medium of Dance and Music. The woman here is both divine and human. As the Goddess she is the consort of Lord Siva, Goddess Parvathi. She is also a daughter, wife and mother, loved by all. She grows up in her father’s home, learns various skills such as the famous 'bharath kaam' or embroidery work of Kutch. Weaving together her family ties, feeding all from her kitchen thus nurturing her young ones... She trains them to become strong individuals emotionally, physically and intellectually. When life snatches away her son and husband in war, she herself transforms into the Chandika or vanquisher to annihilate the enemy. Thus is the story of the brave Charan woman who is the amsham or part of the divine Shakti, the consort of Lord Siva", Smt. Ayswaria sketches the scenario.
While 'Bherkar Bherkar Jogmaya', supported by the Ministry Of Culture Govt. Of India, is conceptualised and directed by Kalashree Smt. Ayswaria Wariar herself, the script has been contextually culled out from various traditional literary works of Charani Sahitya by Dr. Pramod Chavan.
She has interspersed the ballet with her own rhythmic compositions called Sollukottus which help to enhance the mood as well as bind the various segments together. A blend of the various dance styles such as Mohiniyattam, Bharatanatyam, Garba, Raas, Heech and Kaikottikali are used. Music and rhythmic styles of various genres have been incorporated, such as Sopanam, Carnatic, Hindustani, and Gujarati Folk and has been arranged by Sri. Birju Kantharia.
First performance of 'Bherkar Bherkar Jogmaya' was held at Vadodara on 23rd June. Smt. Aiswarya was supported by her students of Nrityodaya school of dance. 'Nilima', a dance film of Smt Aiswarya, was also screened before the performance.
'Bherkar Bherkar Jogmaya' began with the mythological story of the origin of Charans. It is believed that when Goddess Parvathi was displeased with Lord Siva, he gave birth to a Charan from his tongue so that the Charan could communicate at a divine level with the Goddess and bring her back to him. The opening segment which is a Sanskrit shloka is a conversation between Parvati and Siva wherein Parvati questions the presence of a woman, Ganga, on his matted locks. She is not convinced with Sivas reply, feels cheated and leaves him. The Charan convinces her to return to the Lord. Thus begins the story of the child, young girl, woman and mother in Parvathi through the words or Vachika of the Charan.
Smt. Poornima Menon (Principal, Anand Vidya Vihar School, Vadodara) wrote to WOCUE :
"The programme from the very start was enrapturing !!! The documentary film on Mali's Nilima with Ayswaria featuring in it and taking us on a time travel,traversing through milestones of her journey as a dancer, was novel and intense, almost like a catharsis.
The production Bherkar Bherkar jogmaya centred around the Charni community literature, while borrowing heavily from the scriptures, was entrancing! The use of the visuals, postures, formations, music, choreography, the authenticity of the costumes and the sincerity with which it was presented, all in unison was spellbinding. Flawlessly graceful Ayswaria played Goddess Parvati and a Charni woman intermittently and effortlessly, depicting valour of the community as well as the Divine bonding with her Lord Shiva. Her use of space and unique sense of choreography brought several tiny performers too on the stage who performed the Alarippu using simple peacock gestures. The music was original, well researched, foot tapping and soul stirring at times. The performers too need accolades for having presented a unique piece, harmoniously and in sync. The programme on the whole was a treat to the eye".
Smt. Ayswaria is pursuing Research in Mohiniyattam. She has given Performances, Lec-Dems and conducted workshops in 13 States, 22 Cities across India and in 10 countries Abroad. Most recently she had a series of performances for the ICCR and Indian Embassy Bhutan celebrating 50 years of Indo-Bhutan Friendship.
She has been honored with several awards :
2009: Awarded Junior Research Fellowship by the Dept. of Culture, Govt. Of India.
2010: Established Artiste of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi.
2012: ' Kalashri' Award by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy and Department Of Culture, Government of Kerala.
2015:‘A’ Grade Artiste of Doordarshan.
2016: Shashimani Devi Puraskar awarded by Devadasi Nrutya Mandap, Bhubaneshwar.
2017: Adv. Sadashiv Rao Deve Puraskar awarded by Nritya Sadhana, Nasik & Yuva Kalashreshta Puraskar fromn BCKA Bangalore.
Smt. Ayswaria Wariar, a Mohiniyattam Exponent, hails from a family of artistes. She was initiated into the art of classical dance at the tender age of five by her mother Smt. Sreebala Menon. Subsequently, she was trained in the two styles of Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam under eminent Gurus Shri Udyogamandal Vikraman, Smt. Kalamandalam Sarasvati, Smt. Sucheta Bhide Chapkar and Padmabhushan Shri Kavalam Narayana Panikar.
"The Charans are well known for their bravery, literature, sharp mind and the worship of Motherland. They were treated with much respect by other communities. Many female deities were born into Charans such as Avad, Karni and the famous Khodiyar and they were also known as Deviputra, the sons of Goddesses. Hence the members of this caste are considered to be divine by a large section of society. Women of this caste are adored as Mother Goddesses by other major communities of this region including Rajput Kings. All Charan Maha Shaktis are represented with the word Aai Ma, for example Aai Shree Khodiyar Maa and Aai Shree Sonal Maa”, says Smt. Ayswaria Wariar.
It is exactly this importance and respect given to the women in the Charan community which struck Smt. Ayswaria Wariar as a worthy subject to bring out through her medium of classical dance. Hailing from the Land of Kerala wherein the Nair community which followed a matriarchal system too gave considerable importance to their women clan and the Mother Goddess Ideology. "I was inspired to depict the story of a Charan woman through the medium of Dance and Music. The woman here is both divine and human. As the Goddess she is the consort of Lord Siva, Goddess Parvathi. She is also a daughter, wife and mother, loved by all. She grows up in her father’s home, learns various skills such as the famous 'bharath kaam' or embroidery work of Kutch. Weaving together her family ties, feeding all from her kitchen thus nurturing her young ones... She trains them to become strong individuals emotionally, physically and intellectually. When life snatches away her son and husband in war, she herself transforms into the Chandika or vanquisher to annihilate the enemy. Thus is the story of the brave Charan woman who is the amsham or part of the divine Shakti, the consort of Lord Siva", Smt. Ayswaria sketches the scenario.
While 'Bherkar Bherkar Jogmaya', supported by the Ministry Of Culture Govt. Of India, is conceptualised and directed by Kalashree Smt. Ayswaria Wariar herself, the script has been contextually culled out from various traditional literary works of Charani Sahitya by Dr. Pramod Chavan.
She has interspersed the ballet with her own rhythmic compositions called Sollukottus which help to enhance the mood as well as bind the various segments together. A blend of the various dance styles such as Mohiniyattam, Bharatanatyam, Garba, Raas, Heech and Kaikottikali are used. Music and rhythmic styles of various genres have been incorporated, such as Sopanam, Carnatic, Hindustani, and Gujarati Folk and has been arranged by Sri. Birju Kantharia.
On to the stage
First performance of 'Bherkar Bherkar Jogmaya' was held at Vadodara on 23rd June. Smt. Aiswarya was supported by her students of Nrityodaya school of dance. 'Nilima', a dance film of Smt Aiswarya, was also screened before the performance.
'Bherkar Bherkar Jogmaya' began with the mythological story of the origin of Charans. It is believed that when Goddess Parvathi was displeased with Lord Siva, he gave birth to a Charan from his tongue so that the Charan could communicate at a divine level with the Goddess and bring her back to him. The opening segment which is a Sanskrit shloka is a conversation between Parvati and Siva wherein Parvati questions the presence of a woman, Ganga, on his matted locks. She is not convinced with Sivas reply, feels cheated and leaves him. The Charan convinces her to return to the Lord. Thus begins the story of the child, young girl, woman and mother in Parvathi through the words or Vachika of the Charan.
Smt. Poornima Menon (Principal, Anand Vidya Vihar School, Vadodara) wrote to WOCUE :
"The programme from the very start was enrapturing !!! The documentary film on Mali's Nilima with Ayswaria featuring in it and taking us on a time travel,traversing through milestones of her journey as a dancer, was novel and intense, almost like a catharsis.
The production Bherkar Bherkar jogmaya centred around the Charni community literature, while borrowing heavily from the scriptures, was entrancing! The use of the visuals, postures, formations, music, choreography, the authenticity of the costumes and the sincerity with which it was presented, all in unison was spellbinding. Flawlessly graceful Ayswaria played Goddess Parvati and a Charni woman intermittently and effortlessly, depicting valour of the community as well as the Divine bonding with her Lord Shiva. Her use of space and unique sense of choreography brought several tiny performers too on the stage who performed the Alarippu using simple peacock gestures. The music was original, well researched, foot tapping and soul stirring at times. The performers too need accolades for having presented a unique piece, harmoniously and in sync. The programme on the whole was a treat to the eye".
More about the Artist
Smt. Ayswaria is pursuing Research in Mohiniyattam. She has given Performances, Lec-Dems and conducted workshops in 13 States, 22 Cities across India and in 10 countries Abroad. Most recently she had a series of performances for the ICCR and Indian Embassy Bhutan celebrating 50 years of Indo-Bhutan Friendship.
She has been honored with several awards :
2009: Awarded Junior Research Fellowship by the Dept. of Culture, Govt. Of India.
2010: Established Artiste of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi.
2012: ' Kalashri' Award by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy and Department Of Culture, Government of Kerala.
2015:‘A’ Grade Artiste of Doordarshan.
2016: Shashimani Devi Puraskar awarded by Devadasi Nrutya Mandap, Bhubaneshwar.
2017: Adv. Sadashiv Rao Deve Puraskar awarded by Nritya Sadhana, Nasik & Yuva Kalashreshta Puraskar fromn BCKA Bangalore.
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