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Donning a new role

T.P.Vidyamol. — Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup

Life has come full circle for T.P. Vidyamol, former Kalathilakam of Kerala University, who has donned a new role — that of a judge at the dance competition. And she seems to be enjoying every moment of it.

"It is exciting," says Vidyamol, who is a judge at the dance competitions in the Calicut University Inter-Zone Arts Festival, which concluded at Medical College, Kozhikode, on Friday. "This is the first time I have been able to watch all the performances in a festival. When I used to compete at school and college, I hardly got to see others dance. I would be donning my make-up in the greenroom or sitting backstage waiting for my turn."

Even if she were able to watch the dance recitals of her competitors, Vidyamol says she never could enjoy it for she would be tensed waiting for the results.

Vidyamol did not take up dancing because she wanted to win all the competitions. Dance, she says, has always been a passion. Unlike most of the students competing in the festivals, Vidyamol has not given up dancing after she left college. "I always wanted to be a professional dancer," says Vidyamol who gave up a medical seat to pursue a career in dance. "Not even for a moment did I think of a career in medicine. I am indebted to my parents for letting me decide about my career." Vidyamol completed her graduation in English from TKMM College, Nangiarkulangara, and went to Chennai and to do her postgraduation in Bharatanatyam from the University of Madras. She has been giving recitals and has performed at the Spirit of Youth Concert at the Music Academy in Chennai in 2001. "I have also performed in group shows in Mohiniyattom along with my guru, Neena Prasad, who has been my role model."

Vidyamol, who became the Kalathilakam in 2004, had been competing in festivals since she was a student of Class V. She says she is unhappy with some of the changes made in the manual of the school festival over the years. "I cannot agree with the grading system. I feel there should be a winner in every event. I don't feel some of the other changes are for the better either. Neither do I think it was necessary to scrap the Mohiniyattom competition for boys, for there have been many talented boys." she adds.

P.K. AJITH KUMAR

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