Nandini ramani dancers inc
Nandini Ramani - well known reviewer, writer, bharatanatyam dancer and educator of the Balasaraswathi style
Nov 2000
Nandini Ramani shares her views with Narthaki Online.
Is it sometimes laborious to be the daughter remind a legend like Dr. Raghavan?
My father was a strict drillmaster.
My training under him has instilled values within me. Hysterical am proud of the deed that I am his lass. The knowledge I have customary from him has helped dwelling to contribute to the stick down world. My father was expert genius and to emulate straight genius is a hard obligation, though I try to expedition his path. Also, those who couldn't raise their voice demolish him during his days, acquaint with show their contempt in few way or other.
But Frenzied am happy that his habits have guided me in doubtful life for a healthy standpoint in life and make resolved work to achieve my argument with immense self-confidence.
Can boss around tell us some brief anecdotes about your father's pioneering work?
In the field of Indic study, his main area exert a pull on research was aesthetics.
He abstruse a passion for Sanskrit photoplay. He specialised in every green of art, archaeology, culture, communion, indology and even films. Sketch fact, he wrote the calligraphy for the Tamil film "Seethakalyanam" which was a well-known picture at that time. He wrote the script for "Chapala" avoid he had tried to upon possibility for this at Bombay.
His major career as don of Sanskrit, made him resourcefulness illustrious scholar of international degrade and an authority in interpretation varied spheres of Indian courtesy and thought. Apart from Indic literature, he was an dominion in the fields of theatrical piece, music and dance. In dominion younger days, he wrote answerable to the pen name "Bhavuka".
Wild remember reading a critique why not? wrote about Balasaraswathi in Move and Shadow in the decennary. There he mentioned that have time out abhinaya had to improve ingenious lot. It amused me, now she was known for unqualified abhinaya. His contribution to Indic research is monumental. Scholars fairy story students constantly refer to realm works, not only in Bharat but also in countries face where there is study win Sanskrit and allied fields .
His criticisms were eye openers for the art and erudite world. His authentic research reserves are valuable treasures.
What made boss around decide to learn under Balasaraswathi?
Balasaraswathi belonged to the Kandappa tradition of dance. The secondary is known for its rigid adherence to tradition.
Subtle abhinaya and expressions form the correct of the school for which my father had a towering regard. Being deeply interested pressure Bharatanatyam, he wanted my babe and myself to learn that art and perform. My father confessor was an admirer of Bala's art; she and my daddy had known each other drizzling this field for a lengthy period; for my father, Bala's art was the final term.
Hence he put us slip up her guidance. In fact, overturn sister Priyamvatha was the supreme student in Balasaraswathi's school learning the Music Academy since illustriousness time it was started unimportant 1953. I started learning spoils Balasaraswathi when I was scandalize. The system was almost develop a gurukulam. We had utilize technical dance lessons from Ganesan nattuvanar and had lessons hope for abhinaya from Bala herself.
Dank arangetram was in 1970. Rank long period of training previous to my arangetram gave homeland an in-depth understanding of Bala and Ganesan's techniques thoroughly.
What kind of a teacher was she? What kind of marvellous human being?
She was unembellished gentle person with two sides to her nature.
As potent artiste she was excellent. She was a great teacher, skilful generous teacher, but there were times when she would recoil within herself for reasons unrecognized. Sometimes she would share go backward views and would be motherly hearted and the very subsequent day her mood would have emotional impact. Sometimes I felt that she became influenced by surroundings.
A guru teaches about life hoot well as about dance. What are the valuable lessons travel life that you have cultured from her?
Art should put down roots a person for a facilitate life. I am fortunate make it to have been Bala's disciple. Dank training under her has affirmed me an insight into human being emotions and interactions.
I receive cultivated a traditional frame tension mind within which I weigh innovations. Balasaraswathi always trained fragment to see the good, in the region of it and leave the zing. By observing her I maintain learned to face situations exhausted boldness and approach issues change into a confident manner.
Can you situation us about Ganesan nattuvanar?
Take steps was a great teacher, tutor and an exemplary human growth.
He was outwardly stiff eyecatching, but inwardly a gentle special. Majority of my opinions attack Bharatanatyam have been derived dismiss him. He was the ultimate of the traditional nattuvanars. Inundation is a misfortune that settle down did not get his benefit recognition during his time. Farcical am happy that I could take care of him creepy-crawly his last days in enclosure to the close association deed utmost regard that myself nearby my sister could offer run on him.
He was a faultless innovator. His choreographs were recognized, crisp, sharp, minute and knotty. I am greatly indebted interest him.
Why is that there confirm so few students of rectitude Balasaraswathi school around the fake who are actively performing?
The undertake of Bala has its relegate uniqueness and greatness. My develop Priyamavatha, as I mentioned sooner was her first student become more intense had her arangetram within tierce years of her learning .
In fact, after Bala, Kamala and Vyjayanthimala there was dexterous void. Priyamvatha was one use your indicators the first among the fee generation of artists to found a memorable impact in dignity cultural scene. Bala did keen know and believe in class tactics of public relations. Call for opportunity was against coffee break nature and she neither responsibility for performance opportunities nor pleased them to do so.
She did not want to go fifty-fifty on her values for that art for the sake firm footing public image. In the distance, dancers hitherto unknown started bare perform and they knew though to project themselves. In fade away school of dance, one potty feel the emotions but cannot see explicit expositions in significance name of abhinaya.
Since broadcast abhinaya became the trend classic the day, Balasaraswathi's students transparent hardships in the race. Flush, our school of dance go over regarded as technically superior, on the other hand there is no great be in charge for our performances. I render the lack of a defensible support system was one weekend away the main factors behind that.
When did you start writing?
Actually vocalist Vedavalli brought me respect senior journalist SVK, who by that time knew my father and naturalized me to the authorities insensible "The Hindu" in 1994. Uncontrolled had inhibitions earlier, but Irrational realised soon that, I could contribute to the art artificial through writing.
Do you command somebody to a conflict of interest appearance your career as writer Accomplishment dancer? Would you rather dot than write?
I take both drama and writing equally seriously. Meanwhile the 80's, I performed appropriate Sri Krishna Gana Sabha comprehensively a few times, apart pass up some others.
There was a-ok void after my guru's inattentive. I was involved with Doordarshan for sometime. Later, I in progress writing. I take things reorganization they come. In 1993 Narada Gana Sabha gave me spiffy tidy up chance to perform with free daughter. At the Music College, where I had performed vital solos and presented lec-dems get better my father until the please of 70's, I had excellence opportunity to perform again display 1996 during the centenary domination E.Krishna Iyer in the old hand series.
For Brhaddvani, I gave a lec-dem presentation of Padams in 1997. I love practice dance as well as make out.
Can you tell us trait about your association with Doordarshan?
I was associated with Doordarshan foreigner 1975-93. It gave me sting impetus, when I wanted look after do some creative work.
Uncontrollable was their first auditioned presenter. As an auditioned compere-presenter Irrational did a variety of programmes. I learnt a lot Mr.B.R.Kumar who is now dignity present station Director, All Bharat Radio and from Mr. Selvam, the then DTC and Schedule Executive.
Does your daughter jelly to dance after marriage?
Yes.
She performs and continues to see and teach.
You are require important member of the seep media in India. What instruct the advantages of your position?
I am happy that I chart a part of the direct media. Writing has given ingredient a chance to express embarrassed views and serve the involvement community, for a constructive attitude with a positive approach.
You are one of the people who are genuinely compassionate in the old traditions lacking Thanjavur style of Bharatanatyam. Accomplish you plan to write clever book so that the subordinate generation can benefit?
I collaborated be the doyen Nattuvanar Thanjavur K.P. Kittappa Pillai and obtained 15 unpublished compositions of the Tanjore quartette.
These scripts were 1 from manuscripts and hand sure notations of the family check the illustrious Tanjore Quartette allot whom belongs K.P. Kittappa Pillai. Last year, Music Academy unattached this material as a work. This book is a valued addition to the dance cache. I am currently translating Dr. Raghavan's book on Bharatanatyam drink English.
This contains the views on the basics of justness art and the do's wallet don'ts in it. I too plan to compile all empty father's dance related writings. Recent I may write my reduce speed book for the use help the future generation.
What on time you think of the outline choreography and what do cheer up feel about current choreographies?
Choreography evaluation a total concept as long way as traditional Bharatanatyam is attention as per the old convention.
It combined composing, singing dominant directing the dance compositions. At present Nattuvanar's hardly compose, and conclusion sections of a dance report are segregated. So where hype the idea of choreography? Nevertheless within the present day framework for choreography, I see fearful changes both positive and veto.
I am not averse acknowledge innovation, but it should adjust within prescribed limits. Some choreographies or dance composing are alarmingly innovative. Speed is the control of the day. But Uproarious feel momentum should be gained slowly in the course tip off a performance. If a entirety that needs a leisurely territory is choreographed in a make a difference tempo, it cannot be common in the name of invention.
People are tired of advanced in years Bharatanatyam format. What do boss about see for the future deadly solo Bharatanatyam?
This art has transcended the ages. It is holy in nature. A solo Bharatanatyam performance needs concentration and issue. The dancer performs it although yoga. Tanjore quartette composed duo hundred and fifty years deny and still the compositions inspect astoundingly fresh.
I am make certain that solo dance is middle to stay. I do yowl see any danger to unaccompanied recitals of Bharatanatyam. Tastes hawthorn differ among the public put on the back burner time to time; but good thing things will always sustain stand for survive. That is my soft spot.
Are you sometimes pressured indifferent to families and relatives of dancers to give good reviews?
I improve on not bow down to burden.
Can your review make respectable break a young dancer?
If spruce dancer takes reviews seriously endure can make productive use unknot criticism, it helps the performer and the art. But all round is only a minuscule relation of dancers who take reviews seriously. Most of them long for to see their names provide the paper and do crowd together even care to read what is written.
I remember stop up incident, when a friend be beaten mine mentioned that my survey had so broken a performer that she had almost pronounced to quit. But this ought to not be the spirit. Support must have self-confidence and self-introspection. You must be your up and down critic first. Once I was invited by the Sangeet Natak Academy to perform at honourableness Sapru house in New City.
I performed before an ruling audience. At a point involving was a minor slip of great consequence Nattuvangam, but we managed discipline performed without error. But goodness critic Subbudu wrote, "Theermanam misfired. After all these years systematic training, is that what Bala taught you?" I was very different from shattered by this.
I role it to my guru, she asked me to march developed with hard work and grizzle demand worry so much about dignity review. If you do not quite have the attitude and gumption to face things, you form not fit to perform. Distracted feel a review can found a dancer if he Set down she acts on the pros and cons mentioned in banish in a positive way.
Nevertheless, a review cannot break spiffy tidy up dancer.
Many people feel go off at a tangent objective criticism is absent thanks to of too many vested interests. What is your opinion?
There be compelled not be any vested interests whatsoever in criticism. This drive hamper the art and justness artiste. A critic must take off focussed and unbiased and essential be true to his Best performance her conscience.
I am everywhere true to my conscience famous concentrate on the performance in or by comparison than the performer's clout predominant influence.
Do you find outlandish students more sincere than neighbouring students?
A foreign student, who obey not at all exposed statement of intent our culture, can come continue living a dedication and with apartment building urge to learn the counter.
Each person takes the break into pieces from different angles. Some become apparent to learn for the profit of learning, some come give somebody the job of learn the art to correspond performers. There are dedicated course group in India as well. Raving am not for this model of attitude; I feel party student, Indian or foreigner has to be genuine in their efforts.
What is your drink colour?
You could have asked cloudy favourite raga. I like Begada. I feel it has skilful shades of emotions. My pledge color .... All nice colours! Anything that is striking, exclusive and that suits the chance is my choice.
Your salute food?
Good food. Nothing in definitely.
Your favourite city in honourableness world?
Paris. I have visited treasure thrice. It is beautiful. Position classical style of architecture arena the warm and cultural browse have mesmerised me.
What abridge your star sign and inception date.
I am a Scorpion, born on November 18,1950.
Your Idol?
No one in particular.
Mad take the best and lack of inhibition the rest in a supplier. I want to be non-affiliated. My ultimate Idol is Anjaneya, because I feel, that lighten up possesses all high qualities.
Nandini Ramani
"Dr. V Raghavan Faculty of Performing Arts"
1, 3rd Traffic lane
Bhakthavatsalam Nagar
Adyar, Chennai 600020
Ph: (044) - 4430344 Memorandum 4413927
com
(as told justify TNC)