Rama together with her guru Yamini Krishnamurthy
| Picture Credit score: Courtesy: Rama Vaidyanathan
Yamini Krishnamurthy, the diva of Indian classical dance handed away not too long ago. It was tough to see the physique that moved with the grace of a gazelle mendacity nonetheless. Actually an icon, her presence on and off the stage was magical. She personified Sringara Lahari, her favorite composition by Lingaraj Urs in raga Neelambari, together with her beautiful expressions and footwork. Her dying marks the tip of an period, however her spirit and magnificence will proceed to encourage dancers.
I used to be her first pupil, and in the course of the years (1974 to 1987) that she taught me, Yamini amma, regardless of a busy efficiency schedule, was utterly focussed when at school. She by no means differentiated between what she danced and what she taught me, giving me every thing generously and unconditionally.
My favorite reminiscences are when she took me alongside together with her for performances and made me do a tillana as a filler piece whereas she went in for a costume-change. These creative outings taught me essential classes, together with one thing so simple as strolling briskly. I’ve seen her alight from the automotive and get into the auditorium inside seconds. It wasn’t simple to maintain tempo together with her. Whereas watching her from the wings, I’d marvel at her uncanny means to personal the stage and her commanding presence at each efficiency setting.
A younger Yamini Krishnamurthy throughout a efficiency.
| Picture Credit score:
The Hindu Archives
Although my guru revelled within the conventional repertoire, she introduced her personal to each composition. For example, she would re-interpret even an adavu in her personal distinct manner. Her interpretation of a lyric discovered numerous expressions at completely different performances. She by no means seemed outdoors the style to current one thing new. Within the course of, she made learners like me realise that creativeness is the important thing to evolve as an artiste.
She was a instructor, who didn’t imagine in hand-holding her college students. Yamini amma hardly spoke at school however conveyed sufficient by means of her silence. The scholars knew what she anticipated them to do and the way it needs to be completed.
Beneath her wings, we discovered the liberty to soar. She insisted that we interact with the artform at a person degree as an alternative of turning into impersonators.
Rama Vaidyanathan imbibed a ardour for dance from her guru.
| Picture Credit score:
Particular Association
Yamini amma lived in Chanakyapuri in a authorities lodging earlier than transferring to her school-cum-residence, ‘Nritya Kaustubha’, in Hauz Khas in Delhi. Town, which she started to name house, additionally opened up new vistas for her. Decided to popularise Bharatanatyam in Delhi, she reinvented her artwork to match the vibrancy of Kathak. Therefore, her Bharatanatyam by no means had a boring second.
For the previous few years, Yamini amma’s world revolved solely round dance. As her well being deteriorated, she was confined to the hospital mattress. One in every of my fond reminiscences of visiting her in hospital was once I sang Sringara Lahari and began dancing whereas she lay immobile on the mattress. Everybody round was shocked when Yamini amma slowly opened her eyes and stared at me. I may additionally see her hand transferring faintly.
That is my parting picture of her as a result of it mirrored her ardour for dance. I felt as if she was telling me to hold ahead her legacy.
Yamini amma, I’m humbled to have been in a position to internalise your artwork. I’ll hold you alive by means of my dance, and that’s a promise.
