The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Holding expressive eyes in high esteem

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 11, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Holding expressive eyes in high esteem

Special Correspondent

Kalanidhi Narayanan’s 80th birthday celebrated in style

— PHOTO: N. SRIDHARAN

Eulogy: Celebrated dancer Kalanidhi Narayanan was felicitated by her admirers and students on her 80th birthday at a function held in Chennai on Monday.

CHENNAI: The eyes are not just to see but to emote and express feelings.

At the 80th birthday celebration of veteran Bharatnatyam exponent Kalanidhi Narayanan who is affectionately referred to as ‘maami’ by her students and ‘Kanthu’ by friends and contemporaries, everyone who spoke mentioned about her expressive eyes.

Each speaker, at the function here on Monday, had a personal anecdote to share about the dancer, who started her career at a very young age, left the scene despite her brilliant talent and returned 30 years later to teach hundreds of dancers to express the feelings of the song that was being performed with a twitch of facial muscles and eyes.

Bharatnatyam dancer C.V.Chandrashekar said: “As a child when I first visited her I felt a little jealous. ‘Why can’t I have such beautiful eyes?’ I wondered. Her eyes could emote nuances so beautifully. She has inspired innumerable dancers across the world.”

Her childhood friend, Vasanthananda, recalled that a piece choreographed by ‘Kanthu’ won her resounding applause at a school performance.

“I am amazed at her plethora of imagination. She is a treasure trove of fine arts,” said Mrs.Y.G. Parthasarathy, chairperson, Bharat Kalachar. Leela Samson, director of Kalakshetra, called her a woman of substance, a hero who had “touched the sensibilities of hundreds of people.”

Younger artists such as Nandini Ramani recalled her humaneness to those who played the nattuvangam. Ms. Narayanan’s oldest student, V.A.K. Ranga Rao, has translated her book ‘Triveni.’

Her students have brought out a book ‘Guru Kalanidhi’ and eParampara released a DVD of the dancer’s work under the title ‘Navarasa.’

A book ‘Sukla Yajur Veda’ by her father was also launched on the occasion.

Industrialist L.Sabaretnam, Sanskrit scholar S.Prakash, dance critic Robendra Lal, his wife Lakshmi Lal and Mr.Rao felicitated Ms.Narayanan. Dancer V.R.Devika also spoke.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu