Fondly known as ‘Athai’, it was she who ushered in responsibility to
the art of Bharatanatya which was once upon a time confined to only Devadasis.
Rukmini Devi Arundale, a Bharatanatyam pioneer, scholar, theosophist was a
catalyst for the renaissance of the Bharatanatyam which has now gained a
respectable position and considered a divine art form. Born on Feb 29th
1904, to a scholarly couple Sri Nilakanta Shastri and Smt Seshammal in a
Brahmin family, she was always surrounded with the cultural learning and
background since her childhood. This
year celebrates 120th year of her legacy.
It is during 10th century onwards that the classical art
forms grew rapidly through the patronage of benevolent Kings and with
contribution of eminent artists, various styles and genres of traditional art
forms started taking root. It was during
the British and Islamic period just like any other Indian art, the classical
art forms too witnessed a dark age. There was a total prohibition of the art
form in temples and public places. The situation went to an extent where
eventually the kings court could also not support the growth of the art forms
which led to the deterioration of the art.
The political situation and Muslim invasion prohibited the patronage
to the artists. The art which was a sacred ritual began considered as a means
of recreation due to which the dancers were not respected and thus it hindered
the progress of the art forms. Devadasis were looked down upon as courtesans.
The government had passed the “Devadasi bill” to abolish the system. Though
eminent artists of devadasi family joined “Self Help Movement” and worked to
safeguard of the tradition and the art, in 1947 the tradition of employing
devadasi was legally abolished in Tamil Nadu. The art had reached to the stage
of extinction.
Surprisingly the famous Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova during
her India tour witnessed the devadasi’s dance and when Rukmini Devi approached
to learn Ballet from her, Anna prompted her to learn her own Indian art form.
Rukmini’s entry to dance created a new chapter in the world of Bharatanatyam.
She practised under Mylapore Gowri Amma and Pandanallur Meenakshi Sundaram
Pillai and it is her first public recital in 1935 which changed the entire
course of Bharatanatyam. Many artists joined hands with Rukmini and finally the
entire approach right from the music, artistic costumes, presentation and the
spiritual significance of the compositions on the whole revived Bharatanatyam
which was till then known as Sadir. It is said that, as it was the sage Bharata
who gave this art it is called as Bharatanatyam. Some opine that as it belongs
to the country India it is Bharatanatyam and also it signifies the confluence
of Bhava (Bha), Raga (Ra) and Thala (Tha) and that’s how it is Bharatanatyam.
Rukmini Devi Arundale is the founder of “Kalakshetra”, a cultural
art centre in Chennai where she practised, taught, choreographed and presented
many dance dramas setting high standards. The Indian Parliament recognised the
Kalakshetra Foundation as an Institution of National Importance in the year
1993.
One of the outcomes of this major revival of the art form is its
journey from temple to the stage and from devadasis to any ordinary
enthusiastic seeker, the reputation of the art form has been raised to an
extent that the art is practiced across the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment