When you hear dancers talk about Indian mythology intrinsic to Bharatanatyam or catch them in a contemplative mood while they practise expressions, one would think only Indians find it easier to delve into the nuances.
Classical dance aficionados have arrived in India from across the globe to learn, study, research, and perform art forms.
In this group belongs Yahui Chan from Taiwan, Iris Debieve from France, and Lerissa Ekambaram from South Africa who are deeply drawn to the finer aspects of Bharatanatyam, be it the nritta, abhinaya or narratives present in our legends.
Yahui, Iris and Lerissa are in Bengaluru, thrilled to be flagging off their first performance at the ‘All Women World Arts Festival’, organised by the International Arts and Culture Foundation, on February 25 at ISKCON Temple on Chord Road at 6 p.m.
Yahui, who teaches French and Chinese in Bengaluru, has been learning Bharatanatyam from Satyanarayana Raju.
“I read about my guru in an international magazine just when I had attended an Indian dance workshop in Paris. I came to India three years ago,” she says. While Mr. Raju accepted her as a student as she was already into Chinese, modern and contemporary dance, his teaching methodology gave Yahui an in-depth understanding of the art form.
Yahui will present the Ganesha and Nataraja Kautuvams at the fest. While dance aduvus or the syllables are written for Yahuito practice easily, she enjoys the vast differences the forms offer. “Chinese or Taiwanese dance depend on body flexibility, but Indian classical dance requires the spiritual aspect to be mirrored with our emotions in absolute rhythm, making it challenging,” says Yahui, who has presented papers in Bharatanatyam in the University of Paris.
Spiritual experience
For Iris from La-Rochelle, who is armed with a diploma in Bharatanatyam from Kalakshetra Foundation, dance is a full-time career. “My stepfather is from Kerala and after a few visits to India, I was attracted to Bharatanatyam. Compared to Western and contemporary dances, Indian classical offers a higher plane of spiritual experience,” says Iris.
Having learnt initially from Darshana Rama, Lerissa came to India to polish the nuances from the Dhananjayans.
“Only when you live in India, understand the culture and interact with people can you experience the intricacies of presenting the art,” says Lerissa, a student of social science and psychology.
