Enchantress in Dhaka
HAROON HABIB
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Pallavi Krishnan hit it off with her Mohiniyattom workshops.
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achiever: Pallavi Krishnan
Before Pallavi Krishnan visited Dhaka, Mohiniyattom was quite unknown in Bangladesh. But as she spent weeks in Dhaka, twice in past two years, the leading exponent of Mohiniyattom, is happy to see that the classical dance form, received a good response in India’s neighbour.
The winner of this year’s Kerala Sangeet Natak Academy award, Pallavi is the first non-Keralite to receive the recognition for her outstanding contribution to Mohiniyattom.
Unique distinction
Hailing from West Bengal, she completed her graduation in Kathakali from Santiniketan. Her passion for Mohiniyattom led her to Kerala Kalamandalam giving her the unique distinction of being an alumnus of two prestigious institutions.
In 1995 Pallavi founded the Lasya Akademy of Mohiniyattom, in Thrissur. A disciple of Bharati Shivaji, Pallavi developed her own style. Skilful choreography is her strength.
A class in progress.
The tour programme which took her to Bangladesh was a three-year project sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in association with the Indian High Commission, Dhaka. Each time she conducted workshops for six weeks.
Pallavi is all praise for her students most of whom were girls from various educational institutions. “Initially they were a bit hesitant as they were not familiar with Mohiniyattom. After I explained to them the dance form, and as they attended a few classes, they got totally involved. Soon word spread and more girls joined.” The girls were divided into two groups — those who already were learning dance and the uninitiated. The response on the whole was overwhelming and some of the students have the potential to blossom into full-fledged dancers, according to the guru.
The success she tasted encouraged Pallavi to travel across Bangladesh with her students and present performances in Dhaka, Sylhet and Rajshahi.
Pallavi believes that if the Bangaladesh Government encourages the artists by extending financial support, the art scene in that country will change. As such they are doing tremendous work, she says. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my stay, thanks to the hospitality of the people,” she acknowledges. Pallavi considers this assignment a blessing, an opportunity to visit a land from where both her parents come from. They migrated to India during Partition. What about another visit to Dhaka? “Certainly I will go,” replies Pallavi.
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