More often than not, Indian girls staying abroad are eager and earnest to pursue Indian classical arts and what more, to perfection if possible. Even the Chennai season features a number of NRI dancers, not just the established gurus, but up and coming artistes as well. And to a large extent, the young artistes turn out value-based performances. Navia Natarajan is one such dancer of Bharatanatyam who has moved to the US from this metro, post marriage.
‘A Masters in Microbiology and Bharatanatyam? How do they gel?’ Admitting that they don’t, Navia says, “Back in the US when I was attending a job interview, it suddenly hit me like a flash that this is not what I would like to do with my life. My calling is dance and to realise this at an interview is ridiculously funny I know. Something triggered off within me I guess.”
Obviously, like all parents do, Navia’s too gave in to her enthusiasm to learn dance but left it unsaid that it could be a hobby, not a lifeline. “At that point of time and much later too, I went on as if it was a hobby, a sort of second interest with academics being my goal. I do painting as well, so dance went along in the same lines. I worked as a research assistant in Bengaluru before I got married and went abroad. Nevertheless, I managed to get a dance scholarship and went through the theory of dance too by passing the relevant exams. It qualifies me to teach which I do in a small way. It’s ten years since my decision took a concrete shape,” she gives a glimpse into her background.
Navia has performed at the Music Academy, and in fact her arangetram under guru Radhika Kalyani (K.J. Sarasa’s disciple) was held at Chennai at a young age. “I’m at ease with the traditional repertoire ( margam ) though I do a thematic piece now and then. It is a misconception that traditional art form is static and staid and hence fails to impress. There is so much to express and convey in our tradition; there’s never a dearth. The same padam for instance can be done in a myriad ways and each time with a new look and depth. It is the artiste’s challenge to see that her audience connects with what she presents. I do appreciate contemporary but then strictly within the Bharatanatyam frame.” Navia is working with a contemporary artiste ‘to test the waters and her own skill to imbibe certain ideas and see how it flows’. “We young dancers apply diligently to all organisations but then there got to be someone big to recommend with your credentials and that’s a tough job. We are able to perform in India now after a few trials but out there, in the US or more so in Europe, it’s not easy.” How is the art scenario for Indian classical dance abroad? “There a quite a number of Indian organisations coming up with one dance fest or the other. When I did my thematic ‘Agni’, an American came up to say that he could see it as a catharsis of a personal pain and it was so true. But in Europe, the audience is art-erudite. I wish to perform to such an audience.” Like all true artistes, Navia likes to explore the realms of art, experience and express.
