JANANI SURESH RAM
CREATIVE PRODUCTIONS
Ecstasy to Anguish - the Story of Modern Motherhood
In today's world, a core tension exists between a modern mother and an economically driven society. Today's mother often feels wrenched between her feminine nurturing nature and the demands of self and society in this economic world. This production is an attempt to show the change in the feeling of a 'new mother' when it's time for her to face the realities of this job-driven world.
Gramiam, a village series
To the villagers, the wakeup call is the sound of temple bells. Kōlam is drawn in the periphery or in front of the house. Food is prepared for the family using traditional equipment like thirukkai kallu, ural, ammi, kuzhavi, aatu kallu that are older forms of today’s grinder. In the villages, the cow is always treated with utmost care and affection. Water for bathing, cooking, praying and other household purposes is usually drawn from a well. Flowers are plucked for morning prayers and to perform rituals to worship God. In the afternoons or late evenings, women who are sellers by profession are busy selling fruits and vegetables in the market. An open verandah or a sit-out built at the entrance of the house is called thinnai, that is quite effectively used to play the game of dice or daya kattam. This short video is only a peek into a woman’s daily life in a village.
Chinanjirupenpole - dancing in a winter wonderland
In the banks of Śivaganga, clad in beautiful attire, is Durga who is likened to a young girl. The beauty of her eyes is beyond description. Her slender waist appears like lightning, and her hair is braided with Jasmine flowers. She dances as if she is the perfect match for Śiva himself.
A Bharatanātyam video
Ninayerathi endru ninakirenadi - Love letters to Kannamma - Chapter 1
Oh Kannamma, I think you are the most beautiful! I think of you like the moon and surrender to you.
The golden-hued one with luminous features resembling lightning, You are the eternal woman! Oh Kannamma. The arrows of cupid are storming at me. Won’t you look at me and unite with me? Won’t you Kannamma?
Paayum oli nee ennaku - Love letters to Kannamma - Chapter 2
To me, you are like the leaping light, while to you, I am the eyes, To me, you are the dripping nectar, while to you, I am the bee, I do not have words to describe your eminence, Oh, Kannamma! you are the pure flame, you are the pure light of the skies. To me, you are like the veena, while to you, I am the fingers that lovingly plays it, To me, you are the ornamental chain, while to you, I am the new radiant diamond Every place that I see, it is irradiated with the brilliant light of your eyes . Oh Kannamma! The empress of all humans, you are the basis of all life.
Endha neeramum nin maiyyal - Love letters to Kannamma - Chapter 3
I always seem to be in love with you, kura valli, the stealer of my heart! Just being with you at this time, at the foothills, on the banks of the river, I derive so much joy as I proudly speak the essence of our love in Tamizh. I feel bliss when wrapped in your embrace. The white moon pours its rays out and hides the sky. When this light reaches me, I feel one with you. I have invested my mind and energies with you, you are my biggest wealth, the highest wisdom.
Kalliyankaatu Neeli
A beautiful woman who went into the woods looking for her Maaran was killed by him. She came back as Kaliyankaatu Neeli, the ghost with vengeance.
Vande Maataram Jaya Jaya
Vande Mataram is our unified slogan, our constant chant, our vigorous voice, and our continuous mantra to praise the victory of Bharath. We may be pushed into depression, we may be burnt alive, we may be in deep pain, we may become victorious, or we may die fighting, yet we stand together to chant Vande Mataram.
Thottu Thottu Pesa Varan
In this song, a young and frustrated heroine says – “Krishna is invading my personal space and takes all sorts of liberties with me. He touches me, and comes so close when he talks to me, is there no one to control him? This young cowherd leaps around like the waves of the sea disrespecting all limits with my personal space. Yet, when is away, my heart is restless, when he leaves me, tears flow from my eyes. What must I do? I ponder, listening to the music of his flute”.
"Back in my homeland singing dhithitharathithithai"
This song gave me a chill when I first heard it. As an Indian dance artist, I feel so connected to my homeland. Although I left India, I always wonder, "What if I stayed?!!.... But when so many things are calling me away, I'll sing dhithitharathithithai". Wherever I am and whatever I do, it is always the rhythm of dance that keeps me going!
