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Breaking cultural barriers

Hiromi Maruhashi explains why she decided to be a Mohiniyattom dancer

FASCINATING JOURNEY Hiromi Maruhashi, centre, with her students

In every sense, Tokyo is a long way from Kerala. Yet, watching Hiromi Maruhashi perform Mohiniyattom, one marvelled at how easily she seem to bridge the cultural divide. Excerpts from a chat in Malayalam with the danseuse.

Experience in dancing

I have been dancing since the age of 16. I used to dance with the Indonesian Balinese Dance Company and in the Japanese Buto Modern Dance Company. I also learnt Bharatanatyam for a short while.

Why Mohiniyattom?

I had been looking out for a new dance form that I could take up. I came to hear about Kerala, read and saw pictures of it, including those of the dance.

In the meantime, I happened to watched a performance by Bharati Shivaji. In 1996, I visited India and took up Mohiniyattom for good.

What that attracted you to Mohiniyattom?

The facial expressions, the scope it affords to narrate stories and the graceful movements.

Training and gurus

Initially I started learning Mohiniyattom from Kalamandalam Leelamma and Nangiarkoothu from Margi Sathi, under whose tutelage I still am.

Meanwhile, I also completed a short-term course in Mohiniyattom from Kerala Kalamandalam. After that I joined the C.V.N. Kalari in the city to learn Kalari payattu.

At present, I am studying Mohiniyattom from Deepthi Omcheri Bhalla in Delhi. I shuttle between Tokyo, Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram to be able to do all this.

Memorable performance

I can never forget my `arangettam' at Sree Krishna Temple at Rishimangalam in the city. The performances at the Indian dance and Music Sandhya in Tokyo, Kerala Kalamandalam and at the Indo-Japan Cultural Evening evoke happy memories. Dancing at the Soorya Dance and Music Festival too was special for me.

I often give performances in Japan as well.

Audience response

Well, on the whole I must say that they have reacted very well. But quite frankly, I don't dance with the audience's response in mind. My aim is not to cater to their taste, but to follow the convictions of my heart with dedication.

As a teacher

I run a Mohiniyattom Dance Company in Tokyo called `Mohini Girls,' where I teach about 50 students. This way, I hope to popularise the dance form in Japan. Three of my students - Eriko Nishimura, Keiko Okano and Chisato Hirose performed with me at Vyloppilli Samskriti Bhavan. I also do a fair amount of choreography.

Who taught you to speak Malayalam so well?

Sathi Chechi... (pointing to Margi Sathi)

Meanwhile a crowd of well-wishers and old friends have gathered around Hiromi to greet and congratulate her. She speaks to them, alternating between Malayalam and English and mingles with them with relaxed ease as one is left wondering if cultural barriers are just a figment of the mind.

AMBILI RAMNATH

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