Three years ago, we performed on a beautiful stage as part of the Kannada Sangha celebrations in Pune. I can't quite believe that it was three years ago. Waiting to perform again! … [Read more...]
Arangetram
Often, invitation cards say that 'Arangetram' means 'ascending the stage'. Theoretically, all of us know that it is our first stage programme. Then why is it supposed to be so perfect? It is a beginning, an entrance.We often widen our eyes and raise our eyebrows at students who perform their Arangetram 'too early'. At age seven? How ridiculous! After learning dance for just two years? Tut tut. Nonsense.Where do these ideas come from?A book I'm reading tells me about many of the last devadasis. Kumbakonam Bhanumathi (who described dance as 'the sweeter unheard melody of our music system') did her Arangetram at age eleven. Pandanallur Jayalakshmi (whom Rukmini Devi allegedly tried unsuccessfully to imitate) completed hers when she was eight. Thanjavur Balasaraswathi (about whom Satyajit Ray made a film) was seven when she did hers.These are just examples. The … [Read more...]
Baby Krishna
Finally, here are a few photographs of the baby that everyone loved so much. It's a doll, yes, a doll, made by my French mother. It's not a real baby, no. We dressed it (her) as Baby Krishna for our performance in December - here are a few pictures! … [Read more...]
PMC Award!
When we introduce my teacher, we always talk about the prestigious Iyal Isai Nadagam award that she received. We have so many things to say about her, about countries she's toured and things she has achieved.This time, we had the privilege of being present when Guru Mythili Raghavan received an award from the Pune Municipal Corporation - the Pandita Rohini Bhate Puraskar.Hindi poet Ashok Vajpeyi was the chief guest, felicitating first Guru Prabhatai Marathe and then five other recipients of the award. Pune's mayor Chanchala Kodre came in late for the function and faced poet Ashok Vajpeyi's brilliant sarcasm with respect to the role of the government in promoting classical Indian dance and music.Proud to be Guru Mythili Raghavan's student! … [Read more...]
Performed Yesterday!
There's nothing in the world like the thrill of performing. Even if it's just a tiny performance at my teacher's place.Nothing much went wrong.There were no black-outs, but that was okay.I was to sit on a small wooden stool for one scene, but no one but I seemed to know where the stool was and I was already on stage. So I got a rickety blue stool instead and I sat on it rather shakily. A few scenes later, when Radha needed the wooden stool, she had to bring it herself. But that was okay too. Everything went remarkably smoothly, despite the fact that we were using the kitchen and the balcony as wings for our stage.My video camera was with a parent in the audience, but there's not a single video on it.But finally, it's not the video that matters. It's what my teacher says. And she hasn't said anything yet. … [Read more...]
Performing on Tuesday
The thrill of performing is here again! A little performance, a private performance this time - not on a stage, and for barely twenty people."We'll do it in a very simple way," said my teacher. "Those who are playing boys will dress in salwar-kameez. The girls will wear practice saris."Doing it at my teacher's house, we began to play with the lights. Black-outs, yellow light, white light - we could do that much."Krishna at least should wear Krishna costume," my teacher amended. "And Radha, of course."We used a stool as a cradle for baby Krishna as we practised, and we spoke about how we could decorate it. I brought a beautiful doll that looks like a real baby. Another dancer brought a lovely cradle."Even the others, like Yashoda and Kamsa..." my teacher said, thoughtfully. "It will be better if you wear costumes, I think."The kitchen and balcony were our wings; the music … [Read more...]
Radha and Krishna – the eternal romance
Radha and Krishna sit together in the forest, making sweet small talk. The trees, creepers and deer are all around. It's beautiful.A dancer and I sat together on a small wooden table, getting into the mood of the moment. Dancers surrounded us, creating the atmosphere of trees, creepers and deer. A peacock was supposed to enter the scene and my teacher was choreographing that sequence. 'Radha' and I, sitting together, continued what we were supposed to do. A tree and creeper decided to take a break and watch us instead.I didn't notice them looking.'Radha' lowered her eyes, smiling shyly. "My lens is blurred," she muttered.I smiled back, watching her face. "I know. Mine too. Been wearing lenses all day."We became conscious of the others looking at us."Y'all look so good together!" exclaimed the 'Creeper'.'Radha' and I revealed the romantic conversation that we had just shared … [Read more...]
Nehru Bal Sangh
One fine day in 1964, a group of fifth class students envisaged a forum where all of them could meet and spread the message of love, brotherhood and harmony to all the corners of the country. Their initiative and drive mixed with their deep commitment to make their country strong, united and prosperous helped lay the foundations of a voluntary non-political organization – Nehru Bal Sangh. It started in a very simple way in New Delhi and has emerged as a national organization with branches in more than sixteen states if the country over the years. It has the blessings of great leaders of India like Shastri, Dr. Zakir Hussain and Smt. Indira Gandhi who helped and guided it during the formative years.Now, almost 50 years after its inception, I was honoured to be part of it as a judge of the dance component of the talent contest for their national integration camp.The national … [Read more...]
Dashami
Yes, I know many would disagree and say that tomorrow is Dashami, not today. But we celebrated it today.Last year, my dance teacher was not here, and somehow, we put things together and managed. (In the south, Dashami is a Big Deal. We start our year of education on Dashami. Coming just after Saraswati Pooja, we pray to excel in dance, music and academia. With my teacher's devout prayers, the whole day is invested with a sense of solemn ceremony.)Last year, as I said, in her absence, we somehow managed.This year, thankfully, she was there. The problem, though, is that I teach so many of the children too. They call my sister and me 'Small Teacher', as opposed to my guru who is, of course, 'The Big Teacher'. (Though physically speaking, my teacher is the diminutive figure!) Once again, I had the stomach-churning experience of students touching my feet for my blessings. Okay, so I … [Read more...]
Swarada Datar
Where does the beauty of dance lie? When it comes to Bharatanatyam, particularly the Pandanallur style, surely it's in the lines, the perfect geometry and the crisp, precise body movements. Whatever else may have been lacking, the geometry in Swarada's dance was certainly perfect.Her performance was excellent. It's rare for me to use a word like that for art, but there's nothing else I can find to describe it. I had problems with it. In some places, I found it rather too sharp. In quite a few places, I found that she spent more time looking at the backdrop than the audience. Somewhere, I felt that the flowing laasya I expect in dance was missing.Despite that, though, it was an aesthetic treat.When anything classical is a little too heavy or a little too long, I find myself overwhelmed and more than a little tired. Yesterday, I did not feel that fatigue at all. And that, I feel, is … [Read more...]