Rajee Narayan, founder-director of the Bombay-based, Nritya Geethanjali, and a Vageyyakara (one who can write lyrics, compose music and sing the songs) has authored some useful books on dance and music.

One is Nritya Geeta Mala Vol. 1 - this first volume comprises 25 compositions in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi and is divided into two complete margams of Bharatanatyam, in both Bhakti and Sringara rasas. Each song is presented in Tamil, Devnagari and English Roman scripts which include notations, word-to-word meaning and summary in English. Short jatis have been given in Jatiswarams and Varnams. Hardbound edition (5.75" x 9") : 272 pages. Price: Rs. 500.

Another title is Nritya Geeta Mala Vol. 2. This second volume presents 31 songs in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi, which include Invocation, Devastuthi, Sabdam, Varnam, Padam, Tillana and others. Rajee Narayan has presented compositions like the rare Manipravalam, which incorporates three laguages in the lyrics. Nindasthuthi, Nayaka Padams exclusively for male dancers, besides Varnams and Padams in Hindi. These original compositions are not only lyrical in content, but are also eminently suitable for the expression of Bharatanatyam.

She has used rare ragas such as Charukesi, Dharmavati and Navarasakanada and even harnessed Hindustani ragas, such as Pilu, Behag and Kalavati for the Bharatanatyam format. Each of these 31 songs is given in the Tamil, Devanagiri and Roman scripts, with notation, word-to-word meaning and summary in English, as in the first volume. Hardbound edition (5.75" x 9") : 343 pages. Price : Rs. 500.

The book titled Natya Sastra Mala presents the basics of Natya Sastra, compiled from a series of lectures by Rajee. It includes the various Bheda-s, like Sirobheda, Dhristibheda, Greevabheda, Hastabheda (with illustrations) and Padabheda, Nritta Karana, Rasa, Nayika and Nayaka Bheda-s and more, in brief notes. It is an ideal textbook for students of Indian dance, dance teachers and art lovers. Paperback edition (9.5" x 7.25") 56 pages. Price : Rs. 300.

One other book is Sangeeta Sastra Mala in which the basics of Sangeeta Sastra have been given in a very simple manner to make it comprehensive for begginners as well as the uninitiated. While Section-A gives the basics of music and tala, Section-B deals with the fundamental details of the synergy of dance and music. Tala Sastra, which is part of the music, has been dwelt upon briefly. The fundamentals of music and tala and the contributions made by various Bhakta-s (devotees), composers and musicians, with reference to the musical and lyrical aspects in dance, are also given, with some examples. Hardbound edition (8.5" x 5.5") : 32 pages. Price : Rs. 150.

Rajee has also brought out Nritya Geeta Mala - Double cassettes & CDs - which contain select songs from Rajee Narayan's books of the same name, volumes 1 & 2. One cassette is sung by Rajee herself, while the second cassette is sung by well known singer, O. S. Arun.

Contact Rajee Narayan in Mumbai on (022) 39510883.

Oct. 2001. Kutcheribuzz.com - Best Interviews.