Breaking the barrier by teaching Bharatanatyam to Irula girls

It seems to be like an unlikely setting for a Bharatanatyam class. The stamping of toes on the ground in tune with the jathis of Bharatanatyam fills the small corridor with a tin roof of the Thai Tamil Palli at Tindivanam.

Bharatanatyam dancer and Fulbright Scholar in Residence Kausalya Srinivasan beats the thattu palakai and a gaggle of seven women belonging to the Irular group are studying their first classes in dancing.

“It’s the conventional dance of Tamil Nadu and take delight in studying it,” Ms. Srinivasan tells the scholars as she continuously corrects their posture.

“The best way you stand, the way in which to talk, and the way in which you make gestures matter lots. It would enhance your physique language, confidence and persona,” reiterates Ms. Srinivasan, who seeks to interrupt the barrier by instructing classical dance to the ladies on the margins of society.

The women are attentive although it takes a while for them to regulate themselves to the discomforts of the brand new apparel of the dancers delivered to them by Ms. Srinivasan.

“I by no means thought I might study Bharatanatyam in my life. Who would have taught us? I needed to bop when different college students in my school participated in cultural programmes. Sooner or later, I will even dance on the dais,” stated I. Sakthi, who research B.Sc physics on the A. Govindsamy Authorities Arts Faculty, Tindivanam.

“I’m wondering how she [Ms. Srinivasan] all the time has a cheerful manner and sounds assured. I really feel I may also be [always cheerful] like her if I dance,” she stated.

For Ok. Bhuvana and M. Gunasundarai, the Class 9 college students, the dream has come true. “I preferred to bop at college features. However by no means had the chance or confidence. I’ll study it properly,” Bhuvana stated on Sunday.

Ms. Srinivasan determined to show Bharatanatyam to underprivileged kids after taking part within the Millennium Stage created with the target of constructing performing arts accessible to everybody in success of the U.S.-based Kennedy Centre’s mission to its group and the nation.

When she approached retired Madras Excessive Court docket decide Ok. Chandru, he suggested her to satisfy Professor Kalyani, founding father of Thai Tamil Palli, who works among the many Irulas and fights for his or her rights. After a few conferences with Mr. Kalyani, she determined to go forward.

“I preferred the thought as a result of I really feel an individual’s persona won’t be full with out studying an artwork. Artwork will give confidence to college students,” stated Mr. Kalyani, who additionally needed Ms. Srinvasan to incorporate some college students from his college [in her classes].

Requested whether or not these college students might get an area on stage, particularly when classical dances stay an unique area of a privileged part, Ms. Srinivasan stated she would create an area for them. “We now have to start someplace. I’ll organise their arangetram someday. Since they’re college students, I’ll advocate their identify for the Fulbright scholarship in order that they may examine within the U.S.,” she added.