Bharatakalanjali's auditorium at the SPASTN Teach Theatre in Taramani provided an ideal setting on 18 April for the Nangiar Koothu performance.

Kerala Kalamandalam, the premier institution that nurtures exceptional artistes in Kathakali, Koodiyattam and allied art forms such as Nangiar Koothu, can rightfully take pride in one of its alumnae, Jayalakshmi Vishnuprasad (Jayaraj), who presented Poothana Moksham - a compelling one-and-a-half-hour enactment from the Bhagavata Purana. Her masterful mukhaja abhinaya (facial expressions) held even the youngest, typically restless children in the front row spellbound.

The outstanding percussion by Kalamandalam Jeyaraj and Rahul on the mizhavu  Kalanilayam Rajan on the edakka, and the gentle, unobtrusive talam by Kalamandalam Dharshana effectively muffled any ambient noise and seamlessly supported the artist, captivating the sizeable audience.

Kalamandalam Jayalakshmi adeptly employed the eka aharya lasya technique, as described in the Natya Shastra, using a single stylised costume and makeup to portray multiple characters with finesse.

Her transformation - from an awkward-looking asura to a beautiful woman (gopika stree) who charms the people of Gokula; from sinister expressions while killing infants, to the moral conflict she experiences upon encountering the divine beauty of baby Krishna; and finally, the climactic moment of death as infant Krishna drains not just the poisoned milk but her very life - was woven together with a measured and deliberate pace, admirable in its detail and nuance.

The use of Sanskrit storylines accompanied by English translations on a side screen, the striking red-and-white costume, ornate headgear, and vibrant makeup by Kalamandalam Amrutha, all added to the visual splendour of this evocative performance.