A THUMBNAIL  SKETCH  OF  BHARAT  NATYAM
 
Bharat  Natyam  can be defined  as a  classical dance form that  primarily  originated  in the temples of Tamil Nadu in the south. Tanjore has always been considered as the seat and centre of learning and practicing these traditional Indian classical dance forms. Bharat Natyam has become popular and globally well known for its grace, purity, tenderness and  sculpturesque poses. Similarly, it  is also an embodiment of music in visual form to express the depth of devotion and the  extent of  emotional involvements, while portraying the various episodes extracted from the Hindu epics and mythologies. While music can be practiced  independently, dance and the music designed for dance are inherently interdependent like the soul and the superior soul, each breathing in life into the other as an integral part for  their  lively existence.
 
       In his treatise, "NATYA SHASTRA " Bharata muni, the originator of this classical dance form has given a complete sketch of various dance forms. Lord Shiva, renowned for His cosmic dance (Thandava Nritam and His Nataraja posture), is the preferred deity of Bharat Natyam. Many of the sculptures in the Tamil Nadu  temples are depicting the Bharat Natyam dance poses called KARANAS. In other words, Bharat Natyam is the earthily version of the celestial dance forms practiced in the heavenly courts by specialised dancers called Apsaras, who are depicted in many scriptures. During the period of the Maratha king Serfoji(1798-1824)these classical dance forms received tremendous impetus with the august presence of a galaxy of adept dance masters consisting of the quadruplet brothers namely, Chinnayya, Ponniah, Sivanandan and Vadivelu of theTanjore court of the king who enriched Bharat Natyam, with their invaluable contributions. In the most artistic parlance, Bharat Natyam, in its basic sense, is a solo dance involving two aspects viz.
 
        LASYA (graceful feminine aspect) movements  and TANDAVA (ananda thandava, the dance of Shiva, (masculine aspect). 
     
       It is strongly believed that there are sixteen hospitalities to be offered to the various deities of which music and dance, pleasing to the senses, are of supreme importance. That's why dance and music were practiced together in the temples in those days and these arts thrived in the temples as well as in the royal courts with dignity and élan.
 
       Though Bharat Natyam received a serious setback in the medieval period, it was revived and rejuvenated by the renowned danseuse, Rukmini Devi Arundale, during the AD 1936 epoch through her school of music and dance namely, Kalakshetra, which was operating on the outskirts of Madras. In those days, only women practiced Bharat Natyam and the men opted to be dance masters only. Other Indian rulers also encouraged the artistes for the preservation and propagation of these arts. In the later years, the renowned danseuse Ms Padma Subramaniam with her incessant researches and tireless practices promoted this art with her commendable additions.
 
       In this Kaliyuga, paramount importance is given to Bhakti (Devotion).  Bharat Natyam as an earthly version of the celestial dance form, and music as an interrelated genre, are deeply bonded together like two peas in a pod. Bharat Natyam is the spectacular manifestation or embodiment of music in visual form to express the depth of devotion to various deities. It is also considered as the flame of fire (fire being one of the five elements is inherent in the human body). The movements of a Bharat Natyam dancer resemble the movements of a dancing flame. The analogy drawn by the exponents is true par excellence.
     
         Bharat Natyam has principally three distinct
         Elements,  namely:-
         NRITTA -(rhythmic dance movements)
         NATYA  -(mime act with dramatic aspects)
         NRITYA -(amalgam of Nritta and Natya elements)
 
       As one of the performing arts, it takes several years for a Bharat Natyam  aspirant to reach the level  of Arangettam,to be performed  (debut) before an elite social audience. It demands strong determination, dedication, regular  practice, special skill,  a healthy, agile physic, well suited for the rhythmic and patterned bodily movements to the classical tunes and above all, sacrifice of personal comforts,  to become a perfect danseuse.
 
       Today, astute dance and music lovers from foreign countries also come down to India  for learning this  specialized  segment of dance with exemplary  enthusiasm.  Martha Ashtron, the American dancer who specialized in Yakshagana Bialata, which was resuscitated and propagated by Dr Sivarama Karant (Jnana peedha award winner) and Higgins Bhagavathar (American) who specialized in Carnatic music,  are some of the  inspiring alien  examples ever  remembered  for their penchant for learning Indian dance forms and classical music. Now there are academic as well as commercial dance institutes in India and abroad available to cater to those aspiring to take up this art.  Moreover, aspirants belonging to different religions are also attracted to master these arts, thus transcending the rigid religious boundaries. The four integral aspects of Bharat Natyam are:-
 
       Bhavam (expression) through facial expressionsand physical  movements,
       Ragam   (music)  the timbral aspect of singing  ie.related to accent, meter and tempo.
       Thalam  (rhythm) an orderly flow of sound - vocalor  instrumental melody.
       Natyam (dance) the sequence of rhythmic movement of steps  in consonance  the  music.
 
     So, Bharat Natyam being a universal dance form has acquired greater significance now and is learned, practiced and performed with a great sense of aplomb and dignity by aspiring enthusiasts all over the world.  This is one of the rare ubiquitous fine arts which the audience watches spell bound in India as well as abroad and brings lots of reputation for our country. As long as there is no dearth of dedicated artistes and well trained teachers like Smt. Padmini Radhakrishnan,  It will continue to flourish  and enjoy   its  grandeur and majesty.  
 
       Now let us have a glance at the profile of  Smt. Padmini Radhakrishnan, the dance legend of Mumbai,  who always prefers to keep a low profile,  the popular genius in this genre of music and dance, who has won  many an accolade and award, as listed below,  from various  prestigious cultural organizations in India as well as abroad.
 
SMT:PADMINI RADHAKRISHNAN  - A  MACRO  ANALYSIS  OF HER  PRACTICE AND PERFORMANCE
 
       As an assiduous Bharat Natyam artiste, an adept teacher and an avid practitioner of the ethereal genre of fine arts, Smt. Padmini Radhakishnan, has now become a household name for the multitudes of music and dance lovers of Mumbai. Besides enjoying the twin titles of a seasoned artiste and a dedicated teacher, she is also a blessed singer, gifted with such a voice rich with timbre, melody and steady cadence well suited for the dance. Normally we see an artiste on the stage dancing rhythmically in tandem with the concert of another professional singer seated at the background, but, here one can see Smt. Padmini, the dance teacher herself singing and hear her deep sonorous voice resounding in perfect consonance with the facial expressions and physical movements of the performing artiste, a rare combination of music and dance in the same person, yea, a rare two-in-one personality!

       As a Post Graduate Diploma Holder in Carnatic Music from the University of Mumbai, Smt. Padmini has acquired commendable proficiency in music and expertise in Nattuvangam  which have served as additional qualifications for her  future public performances. As a passionate singer, she has given several public performances in semi classical music, bhajans and light music so far.

       From the micro level of an ordinary, teacher Smt. Padmini has now risen to the macro status of an institution with a larger dimension or network of dance classes in other centres too in Mumbai.  She learned Bharat Natyam in Calcutta under Guru Smt. Rajalakshmi Venkateswar, disciple of late shri Dandayudhapani Pillai, a legend in the field and Guru late Smt. M R Prema another well known artiste and a teacher. Presently, she is continuing to learn and acquire more knowledge and further her ambit of dancing skills under the able guidance of another veteran Guru Shri Venugopal Pillai of Tanjavur Nritya Shala Mumbai. This will, in turn, enable her to hone up her skills and impart the same to her disciples.
 
       Having born in to a family of talented artistes, Smt. Padmini Radakrishnan was initiated in to the magnificent domain of  Bharat Natyam at  the very tender age of three, by her parents. She proudly recalls that she owes, a great deal to her husband shri Radhakrishnan and her in-laws for their unstinted support, especially after her marriage, for the present success in her preferred field of music and dance. It is a matter of great achievement for an artiste of Smt. Padmini's calibre to reminisce that she has given more than 200 captivating stage performances in Mumbai and other places outside.  An amazing number indeed!
 
       Having started her classes with a small number of three students in her residence in Garodia Nagar  in Mumbai in 1981, undaunted or undeterred  of the outcome, she marched ahead with her pageant of swelling  number of disciples enrolling   for learning this classical dance form. With a sense of dedication and commitment, coupled with the unremitting enthusiasm to cover the entire gamut of this fine art, she propitiously established her own dance academy under the nomenclature, "Soundarya Natya Kalalaya" so that it could cover a large chunk of aspiring entrants belonging to all strata of the society. Her academy consists of  successful disciples belonging to different religious faith also which corroborates her approach, a cogent example of her cosmopolitan attitude towards  Bharat Natyam,  rather,  a thought with a wider perspective. No art confines to a particular region or religion, it goes beyond outstretching, breaking all the barriers and barricades of narrow ideologies. 
      
       Smt. Padmini recalls with an air of dignity and gratification that the maiden debut or Arangettam of her student Kumari Vinita Krishnamoorthy was conducted in 1989 when Vinita was hardly ten years old. Just like a small sum of one rupee, if properly invested, becoming a lakh  over the years, the number of students who completed Arangettam also grew steadily in the later years  with  many more  eagerly awaiting their turn. Her institution has conducted over 1500 stage performances(of which 200 done in Kolkatta only before her marriage) all over India as  well as in America, Singapore, Malaysia and The Kingdom of Bahrain. They were the Cultural Ambassadors of India at the International Art Festival held in Nanning, Peoples' Republic of China in the year 2013 and recently at the Muscat International Festival in Oman in February 2014. Besides winning meritorious titles and awards from prestigious organizations, her disciples have also won scholarships in dance from the department of Culture, Government of India. Well, viewing from the facade of dedication and  accomplishment, Smt. Padmini  delightfully recollects  with self esteem that Soundarya Natya Kalalaya operates from nine locations in India and abroad that she has already  trained about 2000 students approximately, performed Arangettam (debut) of 91 students and groomed around 25 teachers who can conduct classes for the students independently. An Arangettam is normally an expensive feat involving costly costumes and ornaments designed for enacting different episodes and depicting the various characters in epics and mythology.
 
       As an innovative choreographer, she is exploring further, to make foray into the genre of dance ballets with novel themes and presentations which remains a major stand out characteristic quality of Smt. Padmini Radhakrishnan. An enterprising artiste down-to-earth, wont to simple living styles,  Padmini's amiable nature and pleasing manners easily capture one's attention. Her team functions like a family unit with unity and utmost team spirit  and the bonding between Smt. Padmini and her disciples is always  like that between an affectionate mother and her  children. This author had also the privilege to attend some of the Arangettams and stage performances on a number of occasions and found them very soulful and enrapturing! Not even  an iota of exaggeration!
 
       Meanwhile, the number of students also multiplied with the result of which, she had to shift to a more commodious location for the smooth conduct of the classes. Today she conducts classes at various venues in Ghatkopar Mumbai.
 
      As an organization now she has grown into, she has staged innumerable performances in India as well as overseas at temples, Sabhas, Governmental, international, social and cultural organizations. She had also the privilege of performing dance recitals before the august presence of many holy souls and earn their blessings. She has now created a galaxy of well trained artistes whose international performances have not only made the audience spellbound, but also brought admirations and accolades galore. The finer aspect of her philanthropic outlook is that under the auspices of her dance academy, several gratis(free) dance programs have been arranged for the benefit of various charitable organizations such as old age homes, Health Care Centres and Child Welfare Centres. Such performances have not only provided gratification and inspiration, but also raised the level of self esteem and confidence through the viewers' tears of joy and served as a source of motivation for her august academy.
 
       Next let us have a peep into her achievements and recognitions  for the sterling performances presented by her Soundarya Natya Kalalaya which have come in the form of a cluster of  prestigious awards  from various well known cultural organizations operating in India and abroad:-

1.    Nritya Shiksha Choodamani(February 2001) by PADAM
2.    Nritya Kala Sagar (June2004) by Nateswar Nritya Kala
       Mandir
3.    Suthandira Berigai (August 2004 by Bharati Kala Mandram
4.    Samaj Shakti Award(August 2005) by Hariharaputra Samaj
5.    Shivali Nritya Shiromani(September 2005) Shivali
       Cultural Society
6.    Bhodaga kala Vipanchee (December 2005)
       by Dr.Balamuralikrishna
7.    Natya Ratna (March 2007)Rasika Ranjani Sabha
8.    Bharata Kalai Chudar (July 2008) by Pollachi Tamil
       Isai Sangam
9.    Natya Ranjani (December 2009) by Garodia Nagar
       Bhakta Sangh
10.  Natana Kalai Mamani ((June 2011) by New York
       Tamil Sangam
11.  Nattiya Thilakam (April 2012) by Shri Vari Foundation
       New York
12.  Woman icon Award ((March 2014) by Kriish
       Entertainment Mumbai
      
       Having bagged a dozen meritorious awards, Smt. Padmini is triumphantly marching ahead with her band of devout disciples focused with the sole mission of gunning for more  recognitions from other cultural organizations. Like the proverbial Midas touch, that turns everything to gold, not only let  all her performances bring ovations, admirations and titles, but also keep flashing upon our inward eye ( DAFFODILS - William Words Worth) and let  her mellifluous voice ever keep sounding and resounding in our ears and hearts !
 
      As  Bharat Natyam,  as we saw in the ancient  treatise,  is compared to  the fire dance, let the fire of zeal and spirit in Smt. Padmini  and her band of disciples keep burning, produce more flames and dazzle more brightly not only on the stages here, there and everywhere, but also in our hearts,  thoughts and memories! Smt. Padmini is, no doubt, the Priyadarshini of dance and music lovers. Also the pride of our country, doing a prodigious service to disseminate our cultural heritage all over the globe! It is high time her name is recommended by some popular cultural organizations in Mumbai for conferring Padmashree award as she has won several recognitions and is tirelessly promoting all over, a prestigious art of India.

Her family details in a nutshell :

       Smt.Padmini was born, brought up and groomed in Kolkatta. Her husband Mr.Radhakrishnan, a quiet, unassuming and soft spoken gentleman, is working with a MNC in Mumbai, whose exemplary support to her profession deserves special mention.  Her two sons, Jai(wife Nitisha) and Vivek, having done their Masters in the U S are settled in Manhattan and Washington D C respectively.  While Jai is a talented Percussionist, Vivek is a gifted Violinist, nay, both the sons have inherited the genuine penchant for dance and music too. In all, an accomplished and fully contented artistes' family!

       Let us wish all prosperity to Smt. Padmini Radhakrishnan and her family! And more laurels to her disciples!
      
     Long live    Soundarya   Natya   Kalalaya!

JAI  HIND