Rama Ravi, the dancer
Rama Ravi is a musicians' musician and her expertise is much sought after by artistes, young and old. Gowri has brought out Rama's greatness, through the article, `A Saga of Conviction' (Friday Review, August 18).
As her class-mate and play mate, I'm very proud of Rama. All of us at the Kalakshetra are. We are waiting for the day she would be conferred Sangita Kalanidhi and many more honours that she richly deserves.
Rama was indeed an excellent dancer, a fact only those at the Kalakshetra would know.
Actually she did not stop with playing Lava in the opening Ramayana series of Kalakshetra. Rukminidevi did promote her straight into the role of Sita in Sita Swayamvaram. In fact my husband Dhananjayan always thought she was his best Sita who drew instantaneous applause in her sensitive sringara delineation looking at Rama after adorning him with the Navaratna maala as he breaks the bow.
The other Sitas were Madanappalli Uma, myself, Krishnaveni and Kala. Rukminidevi cast both of us as Lava and Kusa to sing and dance in the court of Sri Rama. We had great fun learning from Thatha (Mysore Vasudevachar) those beautiful lines of Valmiki, with the help of Pasupathi Sir. We thank the Hindu for bringing to light a less known talent of Rama Ravi.
Shanta Dhananjayan,
Director, Bharatakalanjali,
Adyar.
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