Classical Envoy

In city to perform at the Ist Chandigarh National Crafts Mela,Devayani admits her love affair with the Indian classical dance is far from over. “I have danced across the length and breadth of India,in all major cities and towns and have toured the world. While I like to present the pristine form of Bharatnatyam,since 2004 I have been choreographing my own dance pieces as well,” mentions the dancer who has tutored under the great masters of the dance form such as Kancheepuram Ellapa Mudaliar,VS Muthuswamy Pillai to name a few. She also has to her credit the prestigious Padma Shri award,national and international recognition as well as a Tamil film ‘America Ammayi’ that marked her debut in India many years ago. “All this hasn’t come easy…it never is when you come from another culture. I faced many barriers given the fact that I was a foreigner trying to project an Indian traditional art form,” the grand lady of Bharatnatyam gets reminiscent of the times she performed to halls packed with art critics and professional dancers in the audience. “But all through my dance spoke for itself. I worked hard at perfecting it all…” and today Devayani can stand proud. “I continue to choreograph dance shows and tour India as well as teaching dance at my studio in Delhi,” mentions the dancer who is looking to get back on the international circuit with renewed zest. Quiz her on whether she found the language and form of Bharatnatyam difficult to grasp and Devayani is quick to answer,”Music and dance have a universal language. That’s why I like Michael Jackson so much…it doesn’t matter whether you are black or white,music binds us all and it was the same for me. I have learnt classical Western music,jazz,ballet and even the Flamenco. Bharatnatyam was where I found my true calling,” the dancer says. And her journey continues.