For the past four years, Naalathe, a group of teachers of Bharatanatyam and related arts based in Tiruchi, has been trying to stem the tide of talent flowing away to the metropolises. “We started Naalathe because every artiste has become isolated. To each person, what their guru taught is sacrosanct. But as we grow in individuality, we have started adding innovation in dance forms. This doesn’t send the right message to the younger generation,” says Supriya Ravikumar, the founder-president of the group, with over 21 years of teaching Bharatanatyam behind her.
Naalathe brings together around 15 experts in classical dance and musical arts, and this Navaratri, the group has lined up performances at the Gollu Mandapam of Arulmigu Thayumanavar Thirukovil (Rock Fort), from September 21 to 28.
At 6pm today (September 23), students of Naalathe members Supriya, J Idaya Rajkumar and Gajalakshmi Anbalagan will be presenting Colours of Abhinaya at Singaperumal Kovil Auditorium in Srirangam under the auspices of the local chapter of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Infosys Foundation, Bengaluru.
Extra-curricular activity
Retaining the purity of the dance form has been a sort of mission with Supriya, who runs the Sri Priyalaya Arts Academy. Over the years, she rues, learning classical dance has become an extra-curricular activity for school-goers and their parents. “The only aim seems to have the child learn as much is required for an arangetram (debut) performance. If a teacher is strict, children tend to hop to another. This was unthinkable in the days when arts education was shaped by the gurukulam system,” she says.
The fault lies not just in the learners, but also in teachers, she says. “Unless we know our art perfectly, and share our experience with others in the field, how are we going to encourage youngsters?” she asks.
Colours of Abhinaya will showcase the talents of upcoming and accomplished dancers on the same stage. “We chose this title because abhinaya (expressive techniques used to convey a theme, mood, or idea) differs from person to person, depending on the age group and experience. It will be a platform for all, and a treat for the eyes,” she says.
Learning, teaching
Compared to others, Naalathe joint secretary Gajalakshmi Anbalagan is a newcomer to the city. A student of Chennai-based Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi exponent S Divyasena, Gajalakshmi worked in Singapore as a dance teacher, and shifted to Tiruchi after marriage. “I feel Naalathe is an important platform for dance enthusiasts and teachers like me. I have studied under Supriya ma’am, and as a teacher and well-wisher, she gave me several guidelines when I was setting out on my own,” she says.
Watching more programmes helps students hone their own dance skills, feels Gajalakshmi, and for this, the city has to wake up and give more opportunities to local dance groups.
Naalathe treasurer J Idaya Rajkumar has been running her Nrithya Kalalaya school in KK Nagar for 14 years, and has so far prepared 15 dancers for their arangetram . “Parents stop their children from attending dance classes once they reach senior school. Perhaps only one in 30 students is here to learn Bharatanatyam for cultural reasons. Many children waste their years of training after they get busy with higher studies and professions. The only way to keep old pupils in touch with their art is to have them over for small portions of our programmes,” she says.
Like most children, Vytheki Santhakumar took up dance because her mother pushed her into it. “But I fell in love with Bharatanatyam after that initial hesitance. So I always tell my students that if I can dance, so can they,” says Vytheki, a Sri Lankan national who has been based in Tiruchi since childhood, and runs a dance school here. “Half-way through my Engineering degree, I realised that dance would play a significant role in my life forever,” she adds.
Naalathe helps her to maintain standards as a working professional, she says. “I am a bit reserved, and so lose out on contacts. Naalathe helps me to connect with others in the field and get dance engagements,” she says.
Certification
The group, which has senior instructor Vrinda Ramanan as adviser, also prepares students for the annual Prayathnam dance exams. This is a Chennai-based organisation comprising of senior figures in classical performing arts, that certifies the accomplishments of students. “More than a degree, this is recognition by an expert,” says Supriya. “The exam pattern has created a unity within us in Naalathe. All our students are more or less of the same calibre, because we share our knowledge while training them up for the exams.”
M Jaya Khavi, the all-India topper in the 6th level of the Prayathnam exam this year, is a student/instructor who will be taking part in Colours of Abhinaya as well. “I have been learning dance from Supriya ma’am from the age of 8. She is more of a mother than teacher to me,” says Jaya Khavi, who is now doing her Masters in Dance. When asked about the impact of technology on classical art forms, she says, “the internet can actually be very useful for young artistes. We can see how various people around the world perform the same dance according to their training and exposure. We can also register our own presence in the field through YouTube.”
A Nojanna is a Naalathe member who is also an examiner for Prayathnam exams. Starting out as a group dancer, Nojanna, a double degree holder in classical dance and fashion technology, is now much in demand as a solo performer. “The best thing about our group is that students from financially poor backgrounds also get a chance to perform on stage. This is the only way to spread the culture of dance in society,” she says.
For now, Naalathe members pool in their own funds to stage their shows, which can go cost upwards of ₹1 lakh. “Most of the money goes towards hall fees, sound and light arrangements, and the stage backdrops,” says Supriya. “Besides this, the students have to shell out at least ₹5000 for a dance costume, and ₹2000 for the accessories.” Can corporate sponsorship help? “Certainly. But most local companies prefer to sponsor events in Chennai and completely overlook performers in their own city,” she replies.
