A glimmer of hope
LEELA VENKATARAMAN
|
Kathakali maestro Guru Sadanam Balakrishnan says all is not lost for the demanding art.
|
THE SUPERB EXPONENT Guru Sadanam Balakrishnan at a performance
Guru Sadanam Balakrishnan is one of those rare dance gurus combining a strong grounding in tradition with a very contemporary mind. One of the few existing performer/teachers from the Kalluvazhi school of Kathakali, a happy blend of the Kaplingadan school famed for its abhinaya and the Kalladikodan stream known for its rhythmic vigour, Guru Balakrishnan's dedicated teaching has been the lifeline for an institution like the International Centre for Kathakali. Happy to work in an atmosphere where his artistic freedom has full reign, he has to his credit a number of experimental productions along with the traditional repertoire, pursued with commitment. It is the female aspirants who seem to show more willingness and zeal. One regret the guru has is that despite all the facilities provided, there have been very few students willing to make Kathakali a way of life.
Over the years, Sadanam Balakrishnan has learned to live with the sad truth that the kind of Herculean physical and mental energies demanded in practicing Kathakali, cannot be found in too many aspirants of the day.
"Everywhere it is the popular appreciation from the not-very-knowledgeable part of the audience, that performers are satisfied with."
Regarding the absence of any real depth in interpretative dance, such an essential part of Kathakali - which is nothing if not the art of elaboration - amongst young practitioners, who however seem to have a fair grasp over technique and rhythm, the guru says, "Abhinaya in Kathakali requires tremendous inner resources and concentration. The breathing technique and depth come from understanding and effort. Reading of literature and knowing what the character and the sahitya entail, are a must. It is not just the diminishing art of the performer which is disquieting, but also the lack of depth in teaching even in the best of institutions."
Complete mastery
"When understanding is poor, one tries to copy a great artiste like Kalamandalam Gopi." What Gopi does with complete mastery over the art form, cannot be imitated outwardly. "When I was in Kerala recently, a very popular performer asked me for an opinion about his dance. What can I say? I told him that in dance one has to be oneself and not somebody else."
Music has improved a great deal over the years and the kind of melodic and dramatic singing found in Kathakali performances today, was hard to come by about 30 years ago. "Not just the music. Percussion, such an important part, has also found in recent years very talented aspirants." This, according to Sadanam, can become a convenience for lesser dancers, who under the wings of good music and percussion, camouflage their mediocrity.
"I was asked to give a lecture-demonstration in a small place in Palghat. And in an area where the Kaplingadan school evolved I was shocked when I asked all those who had seen Kathakali earlier to raise their hands - and mind you there were all of 220 people present - not one hand was raised! After the lecture-demonstration, people walked up to me saying `How wonderful! We did not know this was Kathakali.' In Kerala too one hears the statement `Oh Kathakali - it is very difficult to understand. We don't try'."
But all is not lost. Guru Balakrishnan sees a glimmer of hope for the dance form. Of late he has been called frequently to perform in Kerala, and a lot of interest is being felt in the right circles after each performance. "There is a sudden awakening - a realisation of things slipping away from one's control unless one pulls up one's socks. In the more knowledgeable groups, the realisation that all is not well with Kathakali is beginning to dawn. There is an awareness that one has to go beyond just superficial gloss. I have great hopes. I think things will start looking up." There is no Vallathol Narayanan Menon in sight! But good days may yet be round the corner for Kathakali.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
