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The Telugu Tamilians
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Dialogue On Tamil New Year's day, the talented duo of Jayaprada and Geetha revel in the Hyderabadi spirit, writes S.B. VIJAYA MARY
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When in Chennai we are Tamilians and when in Hyderabad, we are Telugus
Photo: K.Gajendran
In tune Flautist Jayaprada Ramamurthy and danseuse Geetha Ganesan believe in following the traditions of the place
They are as different as chalk and cheese. Mellifluous is the music from one's flute while the vibrancy of the other's footwork resonates grace. While one is an introvert by nature, the other is well, quite the opposite. Both, however, are articulate and the rapport they share as partners and founder directors of Uttaraa - Centre for Performing Arts should be seen to be believed. The centre is a testimony of their commitment to art and the will to share their talent and skill with many an aspiring classical artiste.
Jayaprada Ramamurthy, the flautist and Geetha Ganesan, the dancer are, in their own words, `one entity'. "There are no egos and no differences whatsoever in our endeavours," they claim. "When I first saw her (Geetha), I thought, she was very snobbish and didn't like her one bit," admits Jayaprada. "Yes, she used to be a shy girl, not talking to anybody while I would go and strike up conversation with anyone in sight," gushes Geetha.
How then did they get together to start a school? "A common urge that we both shared," they feel. Says Geetha, "While being so involved in performing and learning our respective arts, both of us felt a void. Moreover, we felt the need to provide our students - who continue art despite various diversions - with a platform to display their talent. That is when we came together under one banner." Jayaprada adds, "I've been through several institutions as part of growing up... My quest for learning is consummated through teaching. We put our ideas into action and started the Centre."
They feel it their mite towards promoting art and culture among youngsters in Hyderabad and they say that `art is not region specific'. But this Tamil-Telugu divide in the art field saddens them.
Having been born and brought up in Hyderabad (Jayaprada is a graduate from St. Francis and Geetha from St, Ann's, Mehdipatnam), they say they have imbibed the best of Andhra and Tamil cultures.
"In fact Telugu was my first language in school and I'm more comfortable with it," says Jayaprada who'd have been a Software Engineer in the US but for the sound of music.
Daughter of the well-known guru Prema Ramamurthy, Jayaprada is perhaps one of the very few flautists who perform solo in Indian classical music. "I never wanted to be a performing artiste. All I wanted to do was something different and started playing the flute. Mostly self-taught, I later received guidance from N.S. Srinivasan and N. Ramani. It is now the only vocation for me," she says.
A graduate in Maths (Hon.), Geetha Ganesan found her vocation in dance and made it her profession after her MPA (Masters in Performing Arts) at the University of Hyderabad. Having received her basic training from Balakrishnan, Geetha has ever since been under the guidance of guru V.S. Ramamurthy and Manjula Ramaswamy. Laments Geetha, "Bharatanatyam doesn't get good treatment and people are not ready to watch solo performances any more." Agrees Jayaprada, "I want to see more solo flute artistes performing, not just as accompanists... and I'm sick of fusion music. I'm a purist and would like to be that way."
Devoted as they are to art, these young women do not miss anything Hyderabad has on offer. Food, films and friends are all part of their lives. And like other things, they also share their concern for Hyderabad. "The city is becoming cosmopolitan but at what cost? Change is welcome but youngsters increasingly spending time in pubs is not a good sign," they opine.
Fortunately, Hyderabad counts Jayaprada and Geetha among its young denizens, an increasing generation, which walks tall with its feet firmly rooted in tradition.
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New wave
Get together A time for festivities and fun
January 1 is super significant for most janta as it is time to put up the new calendar, swear off the vile alcohol - the hangover from new year's eve has a lot to do with the decision - and generally make those all important resolutions.
But hey guess what, for us, more than January 1, it is April 14 that is the all-important New Year day. It is celebrated as the New Year by Bengalis (Naba Barsha), Tamilians, Malayalees (Visu) and Punjabis (Baisakhi).
Tamil New Year's day is celebrated in the month of Chitthirai and is supposed to be the day when Lord Brahma started creation. The day starts with viewing, Kanni auspicious things, in the hope that the year would be good. Auspicious objects include gold, silver, jewellery betel leaves, nuts, fruits and vegetables.
The panchangam (almanac) and maanga pachidi with the flavours of life sweet, sour and bitter are an essential part of the celebrations. Bengalis welcome the New Year with an early morning procession (Prabhat pheries) and song and dance.Baisakhi traditionally falls on April 13 and once in 36 years it occurs on April 14. The day is also celebrated as the birthday of the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh. On the day there are visits to the gurudwara, with kirtans and discourses. Langar, a community lunch, is also served.
Malayalees also believe that what is first seen on Visu, Visukanni is crucial to the prosperity through the year. Auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh linen betel leaves and a mirror are arranged in an uruli (a vessel) for the Kanni. Visu is celebrated on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam with gaiety. For all the flag waving about upholding our culture, the fact of the matter is we have two sets of New Year celebrations, which translates to twice the partying!
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