Graceful display of talent
AMBILI RAMNATH
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Malini Menon's Kuchipudi recital vouched for her long years of training and dedication to the art form.
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"I was always more into learning the dance form. I never thought of myself as a performer until recently," said Malini Menon after a successful Kuchipudi recital at Vyloppilli Samskriti Bhavan. Malini began dancing at the age of four and her anklets have not stopped tinkling ever since.
Mythili of Mithilalaya Dance Academy is her guru, under whom she learned Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi.
Learning the style
Malini's learning years were spent in picking up the nuances of the style rather than acquiring a collection of competition-oriented numbers. The hard work of the formative years is paying off years later, as was evident from her performance. A lissom figure and an expressive face are advantages that contribute to the general appeal of her performance.
The recital began with a Ganesha stuthi, specially choreographed by Mythili, followed by the composition `Manasa sancharare.' `Krishna sabdam' came next after which Malini presented the popular `Bhama Kalapam,' which gives the artiste ample scope for bhava and nritta. The last piece of the recital was the important number in a Kuchipudi repertoire, the Tarangam, notable for its footwork and display of grace, a hallmark of this style.
Malini now lives in Houston, United States (U.S.), where she runs her own dance school, again called Mithilalaya. Individually and with her students, Malini gives performances at Indian cultural events in the U.S. She recently choreographed a piece called `Madhurashtam' for her student who performed at the FOKKANA meet, and she performed the Nattuvangam as well.
Malini is concerned over the dwindling audience at the sabhas and the lack of interest in traditional dance forms.
"One plus point about youth festivals is that children learn traditional items like Thiruvathirakali and Margamkali, even if it is for the sake of a competition."
But with the importance of youth festivals coming down considerably, she wonders about the fate of such traditional dance forms.
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