Every year, students of Natya Manjari hold ‘Guru Charana Smaranam’ in memory of Guru Kancheepuram Ellappa Mudaliar. This year, though, was sadly different. For it also turned out to be a tribute to their own guru, Udipi Laxminarayan.
A guru par excellence who choreographed many dance productions such as ‘Radha Krishna,’ ‘Siva Lasyam,’ ‘Rukmani Swayamvaram,’ ‘Chandra Grahanam,’ ‘Dharmamoorthi’ (based on the life of Jesus Christ) and ‘Shilpiyin Kanavu,’ Udupi Laxminarayan was also a Sanskrit scholar, who walked the path of traditional sampradaya bringing in nuances and modernism but clearly distinguishing the Thandava and Lasya styles of dance; a rare talent. A widely travelled nattuvanar, he has the distinction of training several well-known actors including Prabhu Deva.
The students of Natya Manjari paid tribute to their Guru recently at Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, with several dancers, including old students, performing his compositions. The choreography was by the guru’s daughter-disciple Madhumathy Prakash.
While the dance world will miss his sage presence and valuable contributions, his art will live on.
