For any country, its dancer are like the precious gems, each enhancing its quality and taking the values and traditions to yet another new level. In our country we have many fantastic dancers who have dedicated their entire life to dance and in turn have become an icon of India’s dance scene. Who are the Ratnas of dance in India was a question in my mind? And to answer this complicated question, I fortunately met the perfect person when I was in Delhi a few weeks back. I am talking about the dynamic and stunning Dr. Usha RK.
Usha ji is a renowned art consultant, for whom dance became her companion during the days of her schooling. Training under the venerable Gurus of the Raja Rajeshwari Bharata Natya Kala Mandir, Gurus CR Acharya and Vempati Chinna Satyam, Usha ji chose to take up research and academic aspects of dance that enabled her to develop her dance writing skills. A pioneer in the Arts Organising sphere, Usha RK, has carved a niche for herself as an impresario of formidable caliber and competence.
Conceptualising and creating some of the pathbreaking dance and music festivals, Usha was indeed lucky to work with many of the legends in the music, dance, and film worlds. Whether it was thematic festivals like “Swarna Sankhya” or the grand music festival “Raga Tala” or the “Nritya Dhara” celebration of International Dance day featuring over 175 dancers or the PR-led concerts of music and art, almost all her endeavors have been excessively successful and appreciated.
Dr. Usha RK, an art consultant has with complete devotion contributed immensely the in promotion and propagation of Classical Arts for over three decades. Usha ji is one person who with her love for art and art promotion has completely changed the fabric of classical dance presentations in India. So I asked her the question which was in my mind about the Navaratan of Dance scene in India and here is what she had to answer:
1.Bharatanatyam
Vyjayanthimala Bali – The gem Diamond
With an inborn sensitivity and spirituality, Vyjayanthimala is peerless becoming synonymous with Bharatnatyam. The words that spring to your mind when you think of Vyjayanthimala and her dance range from Pristine Purity, Vibrant, Traditional, Natural, Spiritual, etc. to creating a mesmerising effect on the audiences. This octogenarian has held on to the heritage and purity of Bharatanatyam invincibly.
Chitra Vishveshwaran – The gem Emerald
Bringing to an otherwise calculative precision like the style, the beauty of lyricality and melody was the contribution of Chitra Vishveshwaran to the Vazhavoor Bani. It is probably the spiritual approach in communicating even the simplest concepts of Indian philosophy that transformed Chitra’s successful performances. Her visualisation and choreography especially of the composers like Meera, Purandara Dasa amongst others changed the style of presenting the Bhakti aspect in dance. At the same time, her interpretations of the varied emotions while dealing with Sringara were very close to real experiences. She encouraged modern compositions of traditional items in the traditional format with a view to extend the Bharatanatyam repertoire.
2.Kathak
Birju Maharaj – The gem Blue Sapphire
Whether it is the lightning like footwork, the ultimate control in making a single ghungroo ring and up to creating a cascading melodious effect through his feet interlacing expressions that could make a young maiden almost shy were the highlights that made my heart swoon while experiencing the dance of Birju Maharaj. The simplicity with which he communicated the most inexplicable Indian philosophy, portraying the naughtiness of a child hero, the enlivening of the heartbeat through his Sringara Rasa and the soul-stirring yearning for the lord through the rendering of his Bhajans makes him the most respected and loved exponent of our times.
3.Kuchipudi
Vedantam Satyanarayana Sharma — The gem Yellow Sapphire
A pioneer in the transformation into an extremely beautiful and arrogant Satyabhama from a simple Telugu Brahmin villager from Kuchipudi took India by storm when he entered the national stage. Vedantam Satyanarayana Sharma’s mannerisms, costumes, characterisation, makeup, jewellery — all of these contributed in creating a mesmeric Satyabhama. We are yet to find a replacement for him. His portrayal of the feminine characters was enhanced by his innate sense of emotional expression highlighting every moment whether it is hasya or karuna.
Yamini Krishnamurthy — The gem Ruby
Was it a matter of genes or prodigal inheritance or a sheer in born genius one could never tell! She emoted like very few could. Her energy, strength, and sponge like memory, grace and an aggressiveness that struck the audiences like an Astra that demolished one completely. Yamini Krishnamurthy is Kuchipudi and Kuchipudi is Yamini Krishnamurthy. She romanced, argued, fought, loved, beseeched, and prayed to every deity through her dance. Dance gives the dancer an opportunity to communicate and Yamini took the opportunity by the horns performing with authenticity and convincing credibility retaining the stamp of Kuchipudi loud and clear.
4.Odissi
Sonal Mansingh — The gem Red Coral
An iconic personality of India, Sonal Mansingh, is without any doubt an exemplary master of cultural interpretations delineating inter-linkages with philosophy literature mythology, sculpture and Dance. Odissi has reached heights and attained the status of being a highly intellectual form due to her contribution. When pure dance and expression is combined with intellect, knowledge, and spirituality, the result is – Sonal Mansingh.
5.Mohiniattam
Bharati Shivaji — The gem Cats Eye
The credit of taking this dance of the enchantress across the globe and formulating it goes to Bharati Shivaji. Creating a wide spread interest for this very niche and unique form of Mohiniattam ensconced in the villages of Kerala, Bharati’s efforts in this area noteworthy. Taking literature and poetry from various languages she has extended the Mohiniattam repertoire in a very composite manner.
6.Manipuri
Jhaveri Sisters (Naina, Ranjana, Suvarna, and Darshana Jhaveri) — The gem Pearl.
These four sisters performed together this traditional Rasleela style and were responsible for bringing the traditional Manipuri dance to the cities. If one wanted to understand the meaning of the word ‘subtility’ they had to only witness the dance of the Jhaveri Sisters. Their soft nature complemented the lasya aspect along with bringing out a very underplayed tandava aspect of the Manipuri style. Their beautiful and colourful performances demonstrated the subtle body movements and rhythmic peculiarities of the Manipuri dance. Their group and dance drama presentations have always been a treat to the eyes.
7.Kathakali
Sadanam Balakrishnan – The gem Hessonite.
Sadanam Balakrishnan, an exemplary artist merged into the role of an artistic director with absolute ease. Sadanam uses the grammar of the art form seen in traditional performances to bring alive on stage some classic international plays for Indian audiences. His very adept ability to look into the varied aspect of production music composing, lyric writhing costume designing and choreography has made him probably the only Kathakali exponent who dwelled into ‘Communicating through Tradition’. Kathakali today has seen newer and interesting shades through the eyes of Sadanam Balakrishnan.
By-Sandip Soparrkar
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
