Saraswati Troupe: From Russia for dance

Seven students to perform Bharatanatyam in city

Shake a leg: The members of the dance troupe from Russia. V. GANESAN

Naming a dance troupe after Goddess Saraswati may sound strange for Russians, but not for Natalia Frantsuzova, a Kotlas, Russia-based dancer and teacher, who has visited India 14 times. She is in Chennai with seven of her students to perform Bharathanatyam on March 25 at Rani Seethai Hall.

“Saraswati is the Goddess of Arts and I decided to name my troupe after her. I like the beauty of the dance, its elegant gestured and the lovely costume used by the artistes. Above all I love India and Indian culture,” said Natalaia who drew inspiration from her cousin Alexander Kononov, a student of Kalakshetra in Chennai.

Natalia, trained in Russia folk dance and Hindi film songs, has teamed up with Mr. Kononov to teach Bharathanatyam, as many students showed interest in learning the art. At present she has 70 students.

“The halls were full wherever we performed and the audience would roar in appreciation after every item,” said Natalaia who developed a liking for Bollywood numbers when Hindi films used to be screened in the erstwhile USSR. She said she liked the energy of Bollywood dancers, the background music, and the atmosphere. “We listen to the songs and develop our own movements,” she added. P. Thangappan, Secretary, Indo-Russian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said the troupe had made their own travel arrangements and have paid for their expenses.

Through Facebook

In Chennai, Natalia’s students will perform along with Natyakshethra founded by M. Senthilkumar, who established contact with Mr. Kononov through Facebook. “When we suggested the idea for a joint performance he immediately made the arrangement. The Russian students, besides performing with our students, will also perform alarippu, jatiswaram and other items,” Mr. Senthilkumar said.

All the seven girls have been learning Bharatanatyam for the last five years. They buy cloth from India and get their dancing clothes stitched in Russia where some have learned to make Indian dance costumes.

Milana Lebetskaya, a 16-year-old dancer, said she has been learning Bharathanatyam for the last five years and her favourite actor-dancer is Hemamalini. “I want to master the art,” she said.

Ekaterina Toropova, who is accompanying her daughter Daria, said her daughter was very keen on learning the dance. “I once took her for the performance by the Saraswati Group and after that she insisted on getting enrolled in the dance school,” said Mr Toropova.