Jayalakshmi, who had showcased the Pandanallur style of Bharatanatyam in all its magnificence and became synonymous with it, passed away in Chennai recently. Well-known as Rani Jayalakshmi Nachiyar, wife of Raja Shanmukha Rajendra Sethupati of the erstwhile Samasthanam of Ramanathapuram, she was born in 1930 into a family that belonged to a traditional dancing community. She trained under the illustrious Pandanallur ‘thatha,’ Meenakshisundaram Pillai, from an early age.
The news of the doyenne’s passing kindled fond memories in this writer, who had interviewed Jayalakshmi at her home in 1997. She was a jovial, and affectionate person, who made every moment of that cherished meeting unforgettable.
The interview was a rare one, as Jayalakshmi informed that she had hardly met or interacted with anyone from the dance field after her marriage to the Raja in 1946.
Her eyes lit up with joy as she described her first meeting with the Raja during a performance of hers at the Samasthana in the presence of vidwans. Was it love at first sight? one playfully asked, which she affirmed with delight. At that moment in his presence, she felt if ever she settled down it would be only with him.
She had a performance career of 15 years and even at a young age, thatha had taught her a lengthy list of varnams, padams etc. Remarkably, it was thatha’s composition, a varnam in Vachaspati, for Raja Shanmukha Rajendra Sethupati, for which she performed in honour of the royal patron.
Jayalakshmi’s masterly performance of the tillana in Sankarabharanam, Adi, Tisra Nadai composed by the illustrious Tanjore Quartet, was another memorable episode in the annals of dance history.
After her marriage, Jayalakshmi bowed out of the performance stage at a time when she was at the peak of her career. In her own words,” I liked the suggestion of my husband, who said that it would bring more dignity to my art and reputation”. Indeed, she is saluted as the prima donna of this bani and is considered a byword for perfection and aesthetics in Bharatanatyam.
Many anecdotes and warm memories were shared during that meeting such as her first public performance at the Madras Music Academy, bonding withT. Balasaraswati, the kindness of M.S., and how her dance orchestra was the first to be seated on the dais contrary to the earlier practice.
