Lone man's journey for art
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Nataraja Ramakrishna, who received the `Pride of India' award recently, led a life of sacrifice.
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THE ANCIENT martial and temple dances of Andhra Pradesh owe their revival and survival to him. His life is a saga of sacrifice for the cause of classical dance. He is a walking encyclopaedia on the art form. Dr. Nataraja Ramakrishna is surely the `Pride of India', awarded by the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Sushil Kumar Shinde, recently.
Smiling away at the honour, with a wave of his hand, the veteran guru-dancer says, "My limbs are weak and I was not sure I could make it to the dais to receive the award. When I expressed my inability to do so, to my surprise, I found the Governor come down to where I was seated to hand over the memento." Ramakrishna has had his share of awards and citations galore for his immeasurable contribution to Andhra Natyam (dance form of A.P. as he would like to term it). His research on ancient dance forms that existed in Andhra as early as the 13th and 14th centuries and later his propagation of these lost traditions has led to a specific classification of form and content of such dances. He delved into the study of ancient dance scriptures that have almost been in tatters. He was the prime architect of the Department of Dance, University of Hyderabad.
His contributions
"I set the syllabus, taught and guided students and researchers during the first few years," he turns nostalgic. The majestic Taramati Baradari culture complex owes its existence to Ramakrishna's diligent efforts to bring the 16th century royal dancer of Golconda's memorial to light. He lived by art unmindful of his financial circumstances. Jettisoned by his wealthy kith and kin, he took to imparting his knowledge to his select pupils who are today his devotees. His books on varied forms of dance, his invaluable collections, his cash presentations have all found their way to libraries and art galleries and charity to the needy artistes. Today, he lives at the mercy of a few caring disciples. He was never considered for an old-age artiste pension since he could not be categorised into any one of the prescribed slots. A self-made individual whose youth and health had been spent in the pursuit of dance, Nataraja Ramakrishna sits in his small rented room with the Charminar memento (his latest) in hand — a spent force who never had the foresight to stash cashfor a rainy day.
R.K.
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