Making dance a pain-free art
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In his interaction with veteran dancers, Dr. Krishnaraman, wonders why they cannot practice the art without hurting their limbs and spine. GOWRI RAMNARAYAN records the discussion.
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Showing the right postures... Dr. Krishnaraman with dancers Sudharani Raghupati, Narasimhachari, Vasanthalakshmi, Alarmel Valli and Urmila Satyanarayanan. — Pic by R. Ragu
"How many Indian classical dancers ask just why they experience various kinds of pain at some stage or the other? They grit their teeth and carry on. I want to create an awareness of the ways in which yoga can help dancers to overcome such chronic problems," says Dr. Krishnaraman, an allopathic physician who uses yoga whenever possible.
His lec-dem on this subject (December 20) at the Natyakala Conference, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, opens a new area for reflection. Weeks before the lec-dem, a discussion between the doctor and Bharatanatyam dancers Sudharani Raghupati, Narasimhachari, Vasanthalakshmi, Alarmel Valli and Urmila Satyanarayanan threw up many questions on the practice of both yoga and Bharatanatyam. "My aim is to protect your back, toe, heel, knee, neck or any other part of your body which feels pain," the doctor begins. "But I also want to know why dancers don't question their methods of practice and performance. If these techniques cause pain, should they not be changed? Keep the purity of your art intact, but save your limbs!"
"No pain if the technique is right," Alarmel Valli says. "We must modulate the beats, vary the force, not stamp-stamp-stamp all the time. My guru Subbaraya Pillai used to say that the sollukattu (mnemonics) can guide us in varying the force and sound (vallinam-mellinam) in jatis. May be some styles have the technique right."
"Dancers of every style come to me with heel pain," smiles Dr. Krishnaraman.
"Is it due to ageing?" asks Sudharani. "But then teenagers have these problems too. In fact, they suffer more than we did." The doctor wonders if this is due to the kinds of floors they dance upon. Everyone has something to say about wood versus concrete, while Urmila talks about dancing on yoga mats taped together.
After some remarks about the famous drum dance in the old Gemini movie "Chandralekha", Sudharani reverts to the `knack' of raising the heel and bringing the foot down with the arch intact. "From the sounds of their feet we can judge which student is doing it right." (Valli). "Yes, the heel must not go splat-splat". (Sudharani). "Wrong techniques lead to uterus problems for women," warns Vasanthalakshmi.
"The important thing is that the shape and size of ankle and arch vary in each dancer," says the doctor. Narasimhachari cuts in, "You must know your own body, what it can do in the different stages of your career." "Changing methods is like learning to write all over again," sighs Urmila. Sudharani recalls a disapproving Guru, Kunju Kurup, telling her to conserve and control her energy.
" If dancers are exempted from araimandi they will have no health problems" — Narasimhachari's remark is greeted with laughter.
"The concept of elasticity is as important as right posture," the doctor says. "Every dance teacher must take note of every student's foot, its shape and arch, and train her accordingly. I'm not saying that you must compromise on your style or purity of tradition, but take an analytical approach to the art form!" Dancers should be taught to understand their bodies, and their limbs in relation to the intrinsic demands of their art. In the West students of ballet are given lessons in anatomy and physiology. Why not provide the same training for students of Indian dance?
Dr.Krishnaraman is confident that yoga can be of immense assistance to the dancer in overcoming some problems. It can counter the adverse effects of some movements and postures. For example, virasana can help weak knees and ankles. Badda konasana strengthens the araimandi. Pranayama strengthens heart and lungs, adds stamina and increases creativity. Sitali can reduce sweating during the show.
The doctor goes into more details about how asanas can be done during hectic travel schedules, and how a few minutes of yoga can refresh the performer after a strenuous show.
"We are afraid that talking about our health problems will affect our careers," admits Urmila. "So we just dance on, until the problem gets insurmountable." Narasimhachari and Vasanthalakshmi agree. That is why, as convenors of the Natyakala conference this year, they have scheduled a session with Dr.Krishnaraman, who has dealt with problems faced by dancers.
They hope that the session will not only create awareness but induce dancers and dance teachers to rethink their teaching strategies, and make use of yoga as an aid to better health and better dancing.
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