New Delhi, June 6: In the grand royal court of Nagpur, art critics, scholars, and the elite gathered to witness an 18-year-old boy perform. His footwork and expressions captivated everyone present. Moved by this unique presentation, a Maratha ruler bestowed upon him the title of ‘Nataraj,’ which became his identity. This was Nataraj Ramakrishna, who transformed the landscape of Indian classical dance.
Nataraj Ramakrishna was born on March 21, 1923, into a Telugu immigrant family. His mother, Damayanti Devi Veena, played a significant role in his early life. His father, Ram Mohan Rao, held a conservative view towards the arts. Tragically, Ramakrishna lost his mother at the tender age of three. Raised in the simplicity of the Ramakrishna Math in Madras and Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram, he found support in his elder brother, Shyam Sundar, who nurtured his artistic dreams.
Ramakrishna learned the nuances of Bharatanatyam from Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai and grasped the vibrant language of temple dance from Nayidupeta Rajamma. Vedantam Lakshminarayana Shastri trained him in the theatrical aspects of Kuchipudi, while Sukadev Karthik and masters from Raigarh imparted the rhythmic essence of Kathak. Under the guidance of Champa Bai, he learned to infuse deep emotions into his performances through Hindustani Thumri.
The British colonial era and the ‘Anti-Not Movement’ marginalized traditional Devadasi dance styles in Andhra Pradesh. To preserve this fading heritage, Ramakrishna dedicated two decades to research and restructured it into ‘Andhra Natyam.’ He categorized it into three forms:
1. Agama Nartanam: Ritual performances conducted in temple sanctums.
2. Asthana Nartanam: Art performed for the entertainment of intellectuals in royal courts.
3. Prabandha Nartanam: Lasyapradhan solo female presentations like ‘Navjanardhana Parijat.’
During this revival, he faced a peculiar gender social crisis. Due to societal stigma, girls from elite families hesitated to learn this art. In response, Ramakrishna trained his male students to portray female roles.
The dance performed by soldiers before going to war during the Kakatiya dynasty was known as ‘Perini Shivatandavam.’ With the decline of the empire, this valorous dance faded into history. Dr. Ramakrishna restructured the physical grammar of Perini by combining the geometric angles of the sculptures at the famous Ramappa Temple in Warangal with verses from the ‘Nritya Ratnavali’ composed by Kakatiya commander Jayapa Senani (1253-54 CE). He revitalized this male-centric Tandava dance with the intense beats of the mridangam and the integration of Shaiva Agamas.
Ramakrishna was not just a dancer but also a distinguished scholar. He authored over 45 books, including the landmark ‘Dakshinatyula Natyakala Charitra,’ awarded by the state government in 1968. He initiated Andhra Natyam courses in universities. For his unparalleled contributions to the arts, he received the Raja-Lakshmi Award in 1991, the Padma Shri in 1992, and the prestigious ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship’ in 2010.
On June 7, 2011, this great luminary passed away in Hyderabad.
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