ODE TO THE MASTERS-10

MY GURU, MY GUIDING LIGHT

“Mata, Pita, Guru, Deivam”

My life has been a testament to the truth of this statement. Without the four of them, I shall be nowhere close to where I am today. It is my blessing that I am able to professionally do the one thing that I am passionate about — Dance. All thanks to that one person who held my hand and guided me through life.

Guru — the remover of darkness and bestower of light.

My Guru, Kalaimamani Smt. Ranganayaki Jayaraman was that source of light for me. She did not just teach me dance, she sparked that fire in me and encouraged me to explore dance on my own terms. As a kid, I have had butterflies while interacting with her, thinking if she will be able to give attention to me, one among her many many students. But as I embarked on my journey with her, I saw how understanding and considerate she was. As a male performer, I had her complete support and that helped me end up a professional in this field of art. I always held her very high in my heart and would put all my efforts into showcasing my best to her. As a non-performing guru, our equation was in such a way that she used to describe what she is envisioning and I would try to materialise it for her. And that was the beginning of our sacred Guru-shishya relationship, that took me a very long way.

Learning from an Ashtaavadani

Ashtaavadhani is someone who is skilled in eight different art forms. My Guru, a world of art herself, inspired me to experiment with several art forms from Mridangam, Gatam, Violin, Veena to dance forms such as Mohiniattam, Kuchipudi and Kathakali. She did not hold me back. She let me fly. She would encourage me to take up opportunities as a freelance dancer, performing with other groups. And that trust that she placed on me always made me stay close to my roots. I can proudly say that she is my only Guru and my identity has become synonymous with hers.

Binesh Mahadevan with his Guru.Kalaimamani Smt. Ranganayaki Jayaraman

Freedom to express my individuality

Her belief in me was my greatest asset that gave me the confidence to see dance with my own perspective. She gave me the freedom to express my ideas, my views and accepted my individuality while working on my characters. She always included me while conceptualising and choreographing her famed dance dramas and welcomed my inputs to the overall production.

I was honoured to sit with her discussing several aspects of music, choreography and other intricacies and nuances that have groomed me into the artist I am. The confidence, character and stability that she instilled in me are the cornerstones that keep Akshaya Arts anchored and give wings to the multiple dance productions that I have created.

Love at a personal level

As a Guru, her charm and her role in my life transcended the walls of my classes and became a part of my family. Unlike parents, she was under no compulsion to pour love on me, her disciple. But she did. And for that I shall be forever indebted to her. I know that she is still here with me. As long as dance is a part of my life, as long as my legacy continues, as long as my students are spreading this art, she will be there. She will be there in every movement of mine, my students, their students and so on.

Sri Gurubhyo Namaha.