ODE TO THE MASTERS — 7
- Nirvikalpa
- Aug 13
- 4 min read
~ Smt. Sreedevi Priya Sriram
Tears overflow with gratitude to pen down my thoughts on this magnificent topic “ODE TO THE MASTERS”.
Riding my new cycle in the street where we lived (1985, 8 years old), I came across a big hall filled with music and dance. Watching from a distance for a while, I entered the hall to see a middle-aged woman sitting and giving instructions. On seeing me, she welcomed me with her beautiful smile. I went close to her and said I wanted to be a part of this class. Surprised, she asked me my name and asked me to come with my parents on an auspicious day.
Thus, this everlasting journey of learning began. Little did I know then, what I was entering, or how much it would consume me.
Arangetram in the year 1989, presided by Sangita Kalanidhi Smt. D. K. Pattamal, was followed by innumerable performances, competitions, scholarships, travelling and learning which continued till 1998.
One such fond memory was in the year 1996, I got a call from teacher requesting me to take off from college the following day and go to her house by morning, I knew that there was a solo performance of teacher coming up and I was assuming that she would want me to compare for it, to my surprise when I went there, teacher and Master Sri. Pandanallur Srinivasa Pillai, welcomed me with a big smile and asked me to recite four jathis with Talam. When I recited it with flaws here and there, they corrected me and gave me a Nattuva Talam (Cymbals) and asked me to perform Nattuvangam for the following day’s program. I very vividly remember that it was an Ammavasai day and I felt very blessed. Their only instruction to me was to wield the cymbals only for the major beats and not to fill it up. Later I came to know the person supposed to be doing Nattuvangam for teacher could not take part due to unforeseen circumstances. This laid the foundation for me become a freelance Nattuvanar later in my life.
These gave me a lot of experiences in life that was possible only because of my dear and respected Guru Smt. Indira Rajan. Teacher was a powerful woman, bold, hardworking, strict, with a great sense of humour. She was a great rasika and could enjoy and appreciate even the most trivial things.
Parallelly, I was also initiated into Carnatic Music under legendary Sangita Kalanidhi Sri. D. K. Jayaraman. Sir was such an affectionate Guru who would make me sit on his lap and teach me music and even discuss compositions that were suitable for dance. His positivity and enthusiasm were infectious. Today, I realize that I am able to enjoy dancing more as I am able to enjoy the music.
Joining the first batch of the Master’s degree in Bharatanatyam from the prestigious Madras University in 2004 was a significant part of my artistic journey as it opened up many layers in understanding this beautiful art form. We had the greatest privilege to learn from senior Gurus like Prof. C. V. Chandrasekar, Smt. Savithri Jaganatha Rao, Sri. M. V. Narasimhachari, Dr. S. Raghuraman and so on.
Learning Abhinayam from none other than Padmabhushan Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan made me feel more connected with myself. Continuing Mami’s classes even after the University course made me reflect on deeper aspects not only in Abhinayam but also in life. Mami became an integral part of my life. Her value system, discipline, generosity and child-like enthusiasm when talking about composers and compositions made me feel extremely comfortable and helped me enjoy and get close to this art form.
Maami encouraged me to take up and present a whole program with only Padams and Javalis I truly consider it a great blessing to have performed under her banner “Abhinaya Sudha” for her mother’s remembrance day in the year 2009, it was very well attended by Maami’s senior disciples and exponents from the city.
This art thus became my best friend and my safe space.
Simultaneously I was also initiated into Yoga from Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, where we had an opportunity to learn Sri Krishnamacharya’s teachings and the great Yoga philosophy of Patanjali. These teachings gave me an insight into understanding the mind and its various dimensions, and its impact on our life.
Last year was yet another turning point in my life when I came under the mentorship of Smt. Jayanthi Subramaniam. Akka is such a soft spoken, kind-hearted, empathetic, great Guru and a repository of knowledge. Her innate sense of understanding the sensitivity and aesthetics of the character and the composition is priceless.
am truly indebted to each one of them. The lessons learnt from my Gurus are powerful and aiding in overall growth- intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. Words fail to convey what I have imbibed from each one of them and how it has impacted my life. Their simplicity, humility while delving deep into the art form with utmost passion, respect and trust, and their commitment in passing it on to the next generation whole heartedly in its pure, pristine form, is the most precious, nurturing, food for the soul.
May this endless journey of learning continue and may I ever keep seeking the absolute truth.
Sat Gurubhyo Namaha.
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