Salem: There is an incredible relation between Bharatanatyam, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and drawing skills, says Ammapet-based Bharatanatyam dancer Aparna Ramesh, who recently bagged the Kalaimamani award conferred by the government of Tamil Nadu.
“Only those who excel in these subjects can master this dance form,” Aparna, who received the prestigious award from chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam in Chennai last month, told TOI. “The award shines bright like a diamond.”
Aparna started learning Bharatanatyam when she was seven years old. She received basic training from renowned musician and dance maestro Savitri, a disciple of Needamangalam Krishnamurthy. She later trained under Saraswathi Sundaresan in Chennai at Vipanchee, founded by Padma Vibhushan winner Balamuralikrishna. She has a double masters degree in music and Bharatanatyam from the University of Madras. She has over 2,000 stage performances in India, Japan, the US, Gulf and Sri Lanka to her credit.
A passion for classic Tamil literature helped her compose and choreograph Tirukkural, Natrinai, Kurunthogai and Kutrala Kuravanji, Aparna said. “I also compose and choreographed bhakthi literature such as Thiruppugazh, Tevaram and pasurams. I can sing and perform Nattuvangam. I created a dance ballet in Tamil featuring Ramayana, Bandasura Vadham and Thrisakthi.”
Teaching and sharing the art is as significant as her performing career, she said. Her inclination towards culture, arts and bhakthi sets her apart as a teacher of Bharatanatyam, vocal music, slokas and hymns and inculcates the rich heritage of Indian culture and value-based learning, thus ensuring continuity of the arts in the hands of the future generation. “I want to take all these to the all levels of people, irrespective of caste and religion.”
Aparna is running ‘Jathiswaram’, a centre for art and culture, in Salem city. “I have students from rich and poor families as I want to be an example for everyone,” she added.