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Journalism of Courage
Internalise the music first. Then,express it through dance. Thats become a natural order for Padmabhusan Alarmel Valli. See the music,hear the dance is the philosophy that has been central to her understanding of Bharatnatyam for the past 25 years. This also is the name of the show,which comprises her recitals of ancient dance poems,known as padams and javelis. The performance will be held at the Experimental Theatre,NCPA on Wednesday at 6.30 pm.
Though music has never been separate from dance in the Indian classical dance tradition,the Bharata Natyam exponent discovered a new dimension to it when she studied music under the renowned musician T Muktha for 15 years. Valli started her training in music and dance when she was barely seven. Her guru,the late C Subbaraya Pillai,always stressed on visualising music. Never make the mistake of pre-composing the dance and fit it to the music framemake. Instead,absorb the music first, says Valli,repeating his words. But this came into fruition under the influence of Muktha,who carried forward the Veena Dhanammal tradition. Valli also followed the dancer Balasaraswatis advice: Become the music first.
However,this ideadevoid of any gimmicks has been ever evolving and expanding with more dimensions added to it over the years. Through this,Valli has also stepped up the demand on her audience. Im keen to share my vision of a dance style,in particular abhinaya,with the
audience. But it demands great involvement and attention from the audience, she says. And Valli,who is performing in the city after a gap,feels the Mumbai audience is just right for it. I chose to present See the Music,Hear the dance as the Mumbai audience is a keen follower of classical music.
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