ODE TO THE MASTERS-9

One of the most valuable lessons my father, Prof Si CK Balagopalan taught me was, “The word ‘Aham’ should never be in your vocabulary.” This phrase has always stayed with me, guiding me in both my personal and artistic journey.

Guru Balagopalan sir as Hanuman

Appa was a beacon in my life, fully embracing his dual roles as an artist and a father. His talents were boundless, and his dedication to those around him was unwavering. He played a pivotal role in helping his siblings establish themselves, without ever expecting anything in return. Among the nine children in his family, Appa was blessed to have all the artistic traits which my grandfather Rasika Siromani P Koman Nair (famously known as Malabar Chaplin) had possessed

Appa’s artistic journey began with his dear friend, Padma Shri VP Dhananjayan Sir. Through hard work and perseverance, he made a name for himself at Kalakshetra, despite being known as a lazy student. I recall Sundaravalli teacher once telling me that Appa was so mischievous as a child that he was afraid of nothing and always had some reptile or the other in his pocket.

I also remember Appa saying that he had a pet mongoose in his early days at Kalakshetra which used to accompany him to nearby places.

Balagopalan sir in various dance dramas at Kalakshetra

Appa often shared stories of the rigorous training he underwent at Kalakshetra. His guru, Chandu Panickar Ashan, would call for sadhana at any time, and because Appa wasn’t always the most diligent student, Ashan would sometimes lose his temper. Once, Ashan even slapped him, which partially impaired his hearing on one side. But Appa always said it was the guidance of his gurus — Rukmini Devi, Chandu Panickar Ashan, Chinna Sharada Teacher, and Periya Sharada Teacher — that shaped him as an individual and as an artist.. His gratitude towards his gurus remained until his last breath.

Appa was always loving, caring and responsible. Despite having a modest salary, he ensured we never felt any hardships and never said “NO” to anything we wanted. He had a special fondness for children. When I was born, he was overjoyed because he believed I would carry his legacy and moreover like any father he is more attached to me than my brother.

Prithvija Balagopalan with her father and Guru Sri.C.K.Balagopalan

As a father, he was both loving and strict. He didn’t hold back in either caring or guiding us. Though appa was a short tempered person, he wouldn’t hold his anger for long. He was quick enough to forgive us and at the same time he was apologetic for his temperament. He loved us deeply until his last breath, and every day, his memory lives in the little things he left behind

Initially, it was Appa who taught me natyam and later on, to have more exposure, he enrolled me in a part-time course at Kalakshetra. Although I wasn’t interested in taking natyam as a profession, it was Appa who insisted and forced me to join Kalakshetra for the diploma course. Now looking back, I realise what a wise decision he had made. He guided me when I played roles like Sita, Rukmini, and Maricha by explaining the importance and the nuances that each character carried, made me do regular eye exercises, demonstrated the technical usage of eye movement and the different body language and also the ways to deliver a dialogue when required. Besides, Appa always emphasised the need for maintaining dignity in any character or performance that we do. He has been a huge inspiration to me, both as an artist and as a father.

The other day, I was speaking to Swara Akka, one of Appa’s students at Kalakshetra. She shared how, during class, Appa would often ask her if his singing was okay or if it needed any corrections, knowing that she was formally trained in carnatic vocal. That’s one of the exceptional qualities that he possessed along with being down to earth and, simple, admiring fellow artists, or helping others.

Every time he performed on stage, he ensured that he did justice to both the character and the drama. Even when playing lord Hanuman, he would fast and remain quiet to fully embody the character. On the performance day, Appa would become a completely different person. I strongly feel that Lord Hanuman has blessed him with all the strength and super power for him to play the role for more than 3 decades. Our family is deeply devoted to Lord Hanuman, and we owe everything to him.A few months before his demise, he was preparing to perform at the December festival. He practised diligently at home and once mentioned that Smt. Indu Mohan, a staff member and performing artist at Kalakshetra, was doing the lead role exceptionally well, but he felt he wasn’t up to the standard during the stage rehearsal.

C.K.Balagopalan sir with the then President A.P.J Abdul Kalam

He never missed a program he was invited to, whether it was a budding artist or a renowned performer. He would always be seated in the first row before the program started and would leave only after it ended. If at all he was late, he would refuse to sit in the front row, saying that it would disturb both the artist and the audience. The discipline he developed in life was applied to every activity he was involved in. Even on the day he passed away, he completed all his daily routines before being admitted for an angiogram procedure.

In the blink of an eye, it’s been 5 years since he passed away. I have always been proud and blessed to be his daughter and will remain so. If there is another life, I wish to be born as his daughter once again.