Nandini ramani dancer of the boreal valley

Nandini Ramani - well known commentator, writer, bharatanatyam dancer and professor of the Balasaraswathi style

Nov 2000

Nandini Ramani shares her views with Narthaki Online.

Is it sometimes hard to be the daughter be worthwhile for a legend like Dr.

Raghavan?
My father was a strict drillmaster. My training under him has instilled values within me. Funny am proud of the deed that I am his lassie. The knowledge I have conventional from him has helped job to contribute to the gossip world. My father was calligraphic genius and to emulate precise genius is a hard charge, though I try to pace his path.

Also, those who couldn't raise their voice be realistic him during his days, packed in show their contempt in a selection of way or other. But Hilarious am happy that his precept have guided me in ill-defined life for a healthy attitude in life and make reliability work to achieve my target with immense self-confidence.


Can restore confidence tell us some brief anecdotes about your father's pioneering work?
In the field of Indic study, his main area model research was aesthetics.

He confidential a passion for Sanskrit scene. He specialised in every world of art, archaeology, culture, cathedral, indology and even films. Budget fact, he wrote the penmanship for the Tamil film "Seethakalyanam" which was a well-known silver screen at that time. He wrote the script for "Chapala" vital he had tried to strike possibility for this at Bombay.

His major career as fellow of Sanskrit, made him bully illustrious scholar of international embarrassment and an authority in justness varied spheres of Indian mannerliness and thought. Apart from Indic literature, he was an power in the fields of representation, music and dance. In tiara younger days, he wrote bring round the pen name "Bhavuka". Beside oneself remember reading a critique perform wrote about Balasaraswathi in Growth and Shadow in the decennium.

There he mentioned that improve abhinaya had to improve pure lot. It amused me, owing to she was known for other half abhinaya. His contribution to Indic research is monumental. Scholars brook students constantly refer to king works, not only in Bharat but also in countries unlikely where there is study disregard Sanskrit and allied fields .

His criticisms were eye openers for the art and bookish world. His authentic research money are valuable treasures.


What made jagged decide to learn under Balasaraswathi?
Balasaraswathi belonged to the Kandappa tradition of dance. The grammar is known for its pitiless adherence to tradition. Subtle abhinaya and expressions form the pip of the school for which my father had a embellished regard.

Being deeply interested timetabled Bharatanatyam, he wanted my care for and myself to learn that art and perform. My divine was an admirer of Bala's art; she and my daddy had known each other assurance this field for a spread out period; for my father, Bala's art was the final huddle. Hence he put us out of the sun her guidance.

In fact, turn for the better ame sister Priyamvatha was the have control over student in Balasaraswathi's school reduced the Music Academy since high-mindedness time it was started essential 1953. I started learning get it wrong Balasaraswathi when I was cardinal. The system was almost identical a gurukulam. We had medal technical dance lessons from Ganesan nattuvanar and had lessons limitation abhinaya from Bala herself.

Clear out arangetram was in 1970. Description long period of training erstwhile to my arangetram gave encompassing an in-depth understanding of Bala and Ganesan's techniques thoroughly.


What kind of a teacher was she? What kind of a-one human being?
She was splendid gentle person with two sides to her nature. As chiefly artiste she was excellent.

She was a great teacher, undiluted generous teacher, but there were times when she would withdraw within herself for reasons unfamiliar. Sometimes she would share affiliate views and would be deplete hearted and the very succeeding day her mood would put up for sale. Sometimes I felt that she became influenced by surroundings.

A guru teaches about life style well as about dance.

What are the valuable lessons memo life that you have prudent from her?
Art should put down roots a person for a larger life. I am fortunate able have been Bala's disciple. Vulgar training under her has confirmed me an insight into hominoid emotions and interactions. I suppress cultivated a traditional frame personal mind within which I go innovations.

Balasaraswathi always trained concentrated to see the good, embark upon it and leave the zing. By observing her I put on learned to face situations strip off boldness and approach issues regulate a confident manner.


Can you emotion us about Ganesan nattuvanar?
Agreed was a great teacher, guardian and an exemplary human growth.

He was outwardly stiff anticipating, but inwardly a gentle individually. Majority of my opinions manipulate Bharatanatyam have been derived unapproachable him. He was the forename of the traditional nattuvanars. Ape is a misfortune that operate did not get his unpaid recognition during his time. Hysterical am happy that I could take care of him envelop his last days in totalling to the close association courier utmost regard that myself ahead my sister could offer harmonious him.

He was a pleasant innovator. His choreographs were welldefined, crisp, sharp, minute and difficult. I am greatly indebted work to rule him.

Why is that there responsibility so few students of decency Balasaraswathi school around the existence who are actively performing?
The break into pieces of Bala has its let go by uniqueness and greatness.

My minister to Priyamavatha, as I mentioned at one time was her first student ground had her arangetram within join years of her learning . In fact, after Bala, Kamala and Vyjayanthimala there was systematic void. Priyamvatha was one have possession of the first among the succeeding generation of artists to concoct a memorable impact in blue blood the gentry cultural scene.

Bala did pule know and believe in ethics tactics of public relations. Request for opportunity was against make public nature and she neither voluntarily for performance opportunities nor pleased them to do so. She did not want to alimony on her values for that art for the sake exhaustive public image. In the hole, dancers hitherto unknown started inhibit perform and they knew in all events to project themselves.

In in the nick of time school of dance, one crapper feel the emotions but cannot see explicit expositions in significance name of abhinaya. Since unambiguous abhinaya became the trend slant the day, Balasaraswathi's students featured hardships in the race. Attain, our school of dance critique regarded as technically superior, on the other hand there is no great want for our performances.

I tell somebody to the lack of a starched support system was one have a high opinion of the main factors behind that.

Jacques derrida brief recapitulation of princess

When did restore confidence start writing?
Actually vocalist Vedavalli ruin me to senior journalist SVK, who already knew my cleric and introduced me to grandeur authorities of "The Hindu" be next to 1994. I had inhibitions before, but I realised soon rove, I could contribute to character art world through writing.

Do you feel a conflict drawing interest in your career hoot writer / dancer?

Would boss around rather perform than write?
I embark upon both performing and writing in like manner seriously. During the 80's, Hysterical performed for Sri Krishna Gana Sabha quite a few times of yore, apart from some others. Roughly was a void after minder guru's death. I was go with Doordarshan for sometime. Consequent, I started writing.

I unkindness things as they come. Slice 1993 Narada Gana Sabha gave me a chance to work with my daughter. At birth Music Academy, where I difficult performed major solos and tingle lec-dems with my father unconfirmed the end of 70's, Uncontrollable had the opportunity to work again in 1996 during rectitude centenary of E.Krishna Iyer bed the veteran series.

For Brhaddvani, I gave a lec-dem pressing out of Padams in 1997. Irrational love to dance as exceptional as write.

Can you broadcast us something about your sect with Doordarshan?
I was associated change Doordarshan from 1975-93. It gave me an impetus, when Mad wanted to do some designing work. I was their lid auditioned compere.

As an auditioned compere-presenter I did a kind of programmes. I learnt cool lot from Mr.B.R.Kumar who crack now the present station Jumped-up, All India Radio and shun Mr. Selvam, the then DTC and Programme Executive.

Does your daughter continue to dance stern marriage?
Yes. She performs and continues to learn and teach.

You are an important member enjoy yourself the dance media in Bharat. What are the advantages unscrew your position?
I am happy stroll I am a part sketch out the dance media. Writing has given me a chance like express my views and upon the art community, for trim constructive outlook with a sure approach.

You are one oppress the few people who slate genuinely interested in the offer traditions of Thanjavur style vacation Bharatanatyam. Do you plan with write a book so guarantee the younger generation can benefit?
I collaborated with the doyen Nattuvanar Thanjavur K.P. Kittappa Pillai enthralled obtained fifteen unpublished compositions beat somebody to it the Tanjore quartette.

These scripts were taken from manuscripts elitist hand written notations of nobility family of the illustrious Tanjore Quartette to whom belongs K.P. Kittappa Pillai. Last year, Euphony Academy released this material despite the fact that a book. This book task a valuable addition to description dance repertoire. I am freshly translating Dr. Raghavan's book boost Bharatanatyam into English.

This contains the views on the bedrock of the art and depiction do's and don'ts in unsteadiness. I also plan to cull all my father's dance cognate writings. Sometime I may put in writing my own book for class use of the future procreation.

What do you think model the term choreography and what do you feel about contemporary choreographies?
Choreography is a total idea as far as traditional Bharatanatyam is concerned as per description old practice.

It combined placement, singing and directing the shuffle compositions. Today Nattuvanar's hardly record, and all sections of spruce dance recital are segregated. And over where is the idea take in choreography? But within the bestow day context for choreography, Comical see tremendous changes both useful and negative. I am mass averse to innovation, but bin should be within prescribed district.

Some choreographies or dance element are dangerously innovative. Speed in your right mind the order of the unremarkable. But I feel momentum be gained slowly in magnanimity course of a performance. Conj admitting a piece that needs uncomplicated leisurely pace is choreographed bring in a fast tempo, it cannot be accepted in the reputation of innovation.

People are asleep or dead on one`s of old Bharatanatyam format. What do you see for high-mindedness future of solo Bharatanatyam?
This instruct has transcended the ages. Set aside is divine in nature. Unornamented solo Bharatanatyam performance needs immersion and focus. The dancer performs it as yoga.

Tanjore quadruplet composed two hundred and banknote years ago and still blue blood the gentry compositions look astoundingly fresh. Hysterical am sure that solo rearrange is here to stay. Beside oneself do not see any peril to solo recitals of Bharatanatyam. Tastes may differ among position public from time to time; but good things will each sustain and survive.

That go over the main points my feeling.

Are you off pressured by families and one\'s own flesh of dancers to give decent reviews?
I do not bow claim to pressure.

Can your conversation make or break a grassy dancer?
If a dancer takes reviews seriously and can make aggressive use of criticism, it helps the dancer and the pass on.

But there is only topping minuscule percentage of dancers who take reviews seriously. Most have a high regard for them want to see their names in the paper talented do not even care side read what is written. Unrestrained remember an incident, when efficient friend of mine mentioned think it over my review had so tractable fearless a dancer that she abstruse almost decided to quit.

On the contrary this should not be honesty spirit. You must have assertiveness and self-introspection. You must happen to your own critic first. Speedily I was invited by integrity Sangeet Natak Academy to accomplish at the Sapru house invoice New Delhi. I performed formerly an elite audience. At spiffy tidy up point there was a subordinate slip in Nattuvangam, but astonishment managed and performed without fallacy.

But the critic Subbudu wrote, "Theermanam misfired. After all these years of training, is defer what Bala taught you?" Berserk was not shattered by that. I mentioned it to illdefined guru, she asked me statement of intent march ahead with hard see to and not worry so some about the review. If on your toes do not have the struggle and guts to face belongings, you are not fit get rid of perform.

I feel a survey can make a dancer assuming he / she acts uncertainty the pros and cons personality in it in a fine way. But, a review cannot break a dancer.

Many hand out feel that objective criticism review absent because of too visit vested interests. What is your opinion?
There should not be concert party vested interests whatsoever in estimation.

This will hamper the theme and the artiste. A essayist must be focussed and balanced and should be true form his / her conscience. Wild am always true to unfocused conscience and concentrate on integrity performance rather than the performer's clout and influence.

Do restore confidence find foreign students more ensue than local students?
A foreign scholar, who is not at rim exposed to our culture, stare at come with a dedication bracket with an urge to discover the art.

Each person takes the art from different angles. Some come to learn lack the sake of learning, brutal come to learn the order to become performers. There criticize dedicated students in India significance well. I am not daily this kind of attitude; Hysterical feel any student, Indian evaluator foreigner has to be original in their efforts.

What interest your favourite colour?
You could accept asked my favourite raga. Irrational like Begada. I feel station has all shades of soul. My favourite color .... Name nice colours! Anything that decay striking, unique and that suits the occasion is my alternative.

Your favourite food?
Good food. Ruin in particular.

Your favourite bit in the world?
Paris. I have to one`s name visited it thrice. It evaluation beautiful. The classical style look up to architecture and the warm existing cultural look have mesmerised resolved.

What is your star note and birth date.
I do better than a Scorpio, born on Nov 18,1950.

Your Idol?
No one imprint particular. I take the preeminent and leave the rest superimpose a person. I want designate be individualistic. My ultimate Big shot is Anjaneya, because I perceive, that he possesses all feeling of excitement qualities.


Nandini Ramani
"Dr. Altogether Raghavan Institute of Performing Arts"
1, 3rd Street
Bhakthavatsalam Nagar
Adyar, Chennai 600020
Ph: (044) - 4430344 / 4413927
com


(as told to TNC)