CHAT CORNER

‘Dance is a powerful medium’

Gopika Varma as Aandal in `Radha' yevide.'

Mohiniyattam danseuse Gopika Varma is in raptures over the success of her latest dance production, ‘Radha’ yevide.’ Based on a famous poem by Sugatha Kumari and set to tune by composer M. Jayachandran, this production has won accolades since its premiere in Abu Dhabi, a month ago. Gopika has already presented it in Chennai and in Thiruvananthapuram too, a few days ago. She is planning a show in Brindavan and a tour in the United States in 2010. Gopika talks both about her evolution as a performer and ‘Radha’ yevide.’

Introduction to dance

Dance was not something new to me. I was initiated into dance at the age of two and a half by my mother, Geeta Gopalakrishnan, who was also a dancer. Gurus

I am very lucky to have experts as my teachers. It was Paramasivam master who trained me in Bharathanatyam. I continued with the great Vazhavoor Samraj. My Mohiniyattam grooming started under the tutelage of Kalamandalam Kalyanikuttyamma and her daughter Sridevi Rajan when I was 10 years old. I was fortunate to learn abhinaya from the legendary Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Nair. I consider it as a privilege to learn an art form and its techniques directly from its torchbearers. I am still learning Mohiniyattam under Kalamandalam Sugandhi.

Themes in choreography

So far I have only chosen traditional themes. But I don’t know what will happen in future. There is no harm in using contemporary themes in dance productions. If a presentation with such a theme can convey the right message to the audience, then it is good because dance is a very powerful medium.

As a teacher

I enjoy teaching and I want to establish myself as a teacher. My aim is to pass on the knowledge that I received from my gurus to my students. Of them, there are 15 who are regular performers. They are future artistes in the making and they show real passion and commitment to the art form they have chosen. They are my future. Therefore I invest a lot of my time in them. My art and name should survive through them.

Multimedia projects on dance

I have done two projects on Mohiniyattam. ‘Hastha’ is a dictionary of 548 mudras. The second one is ‘Samarpanam’ that has been produced by Daasyam, my dance school in Chennai. It is a full length Mohiniyattam repertoire that also includes a rare varnam by Irayimman Thampi.

Dance-based reality shows

I was a judge on ‘Thakadhimi’ on Asianet channel and enjoyed my role. I am happy that I made every contestant do a classical item during the show. So I think my mission was a success. I could express my ideas, thoughts and knowledge to a mass audience. These shows will always have a positive impact if done properly.

‘Radha’ yevide…

When Sugatha Kumari teacher requested me to choreograph her poem as a dance production, I felt very honoured. It is a great achievement for me because she had confidence in me to let me do this. So I wanted to live up to her expectations. The poem was very long (56 pages) and it took me six months to edit it. Every line in it is beautiful and I was a bit confused on what to select. The poem narrates the story of Radha who goes missing after Krishna’s departure to Brindavan. Her ‘sakhis’ look for her everywhere. Radha was actually praying to Lord Shiva who blesses her. As a result, Radha shatters into three.

One piece falls in Rajasthan, which becomes Meera; the second one in Tamil Nadu which transforms into Aandal and the third one in Kerala, which becomes Kurooramma. ‘Radha’ yevide’ says that if love exists in any woman, she is Radha. I was involved in minute details of the production, including lighting, costumes, jewellery… everything was important.

Music

This is Jayachandran’s first musical work outside the realm of films and serials. The music included regional compositions such as Meera bhajans, verses from Tiruppavai, Narayaneeyam and kritis such as ‘Enpalli kondeerayya’ and ‘Karuna cheyvan.’ The last Iraiyamman Thampi composition, usually in Yadukulakhambodi or Sri, was recast in the Sopana style using Dwijavanthi.

Sujatha Mohan, Arundathi, Sangeeta Sajith and Chinmayee were the singers who lent their voices to the presentation. Jayachandran has also sung for the production. Orchestra was handled by Attukal Balasubramanyam.

Message to the younger dancers

Be sincere to the art form that you are learning. Never dance for achievements, as you may not be able to enjoy it. Success will come your way if you are sincere.

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