“I am just a toddler in the field of Bharatanatyam!”
Durga Tilak, an eighth grade student of St. Joseph’s High School, Pashan, performed her Arangetram recently at Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan hall. Punekar caught up with the talented performer to learn some more about her interesting journey so far.
Since when have you been pursuing dance?
I started pursuing dance since I was five. I learnt Kuchipudi for a while. Then I was attracted towards Bharatanatyam and so, in 2003 I started learning under Shri. Parimal Phadke.
What motivated you to take up dance and this dance form in particular?
My mother loves watching dance. When I was three she took me for an Arangetram performance. I went home enchanted that evening. It was on that day when I decided that I wanted to learn dance. It was again, my parents who encouraged me to take up this dance form.
What inspires you to dance? Which dancers have influenced you?
My parents, my [dance] teacher, my grandparents and this dance form are my source of inspiration. I would say my teacher Parimal Phadke has been the dancer who has influenced me the most.
Could you tell us something about your guru?
My guru Parimal Phadke started dancing when he was four and a half. He has learned under eminent teachers like Guru Rena Srikant, Dr.Sucheta Bhide Chapekar and Guru Jayashree Rajagoplan, a senior disciple of Dr. Padma Subramanian. He is the recipient of various prestigious awards like the national scholarship of dance, the national title Singarmani and the Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar Puraskar to name a few. He is extremely tech-savvy and is interested in literature and music. He has contributed several articles to magazines and e-zines. At present he is an empanelled guru at the Lalit Kala Kendra, University of Pune. The name of his institute is Parimal Performing Arts and Research Centre.
What forms of dance did you perform at the Arangetram? (Explain them)
I performed the following-
1. Pushpanjali and Alaripu – Pushpa means a flower and Anjali means folding your hands in respect. Pushpanjali offers obeisance to the deities, God, the Guru and the Rasika-s. The Pushpanjali is composed in the Raga Vasanta and set to the Tala aadi. My teacher has composed this piece. Alaripu is a pure dance composition. Pu means a flower, so alaripu could mean the blooming of a flower. In this composition one phrase is repeated in three Layas or speeds.
2. Jathiswaram- This is a pure dance composition as well. As the name suggests this piece has a Jati and passages of Swaras. This particular Jathiswaram is composed by the Tanjore Quartret. Sung in raga Shankarabharanam and set to Tala Rupaka, this composition is surely a delight to perform!
3. Kalinga Narthana Thillana – This is a composition where I made an attempt to bring in a little Abhinaya to my recital. This piece tells us the story of little lord Krishna, who, by killing the evil serpent Kaliya wins the heart of all. The Raga Gambhir Nattai beautifully brings in the mood of the composition. It is set to Tala aadi and composed by Ootukadu Venkatta Subbiah.
4. Varnam – It is technically called the piece de resistance of the recital. This Varnam praises goddess Parvati and tells us of her various feats. It is composed by Harikesanallur Muthaiah Bhagvatar in the Raga Khamas and in Tala aadi.
5. Padam- This is a pure Abhinaya composition where only facial expressions and hand gestures are used to portray emotion. This Padam is about the beautiful relationship between lord Krishna and mother Yashoda. Composed by the famous Purandardasa in the Raga Madhyamavati this piece is set in Tala aadi.
6. Padam- This composition tells us of the happenings that take place when lord Krishna plays his flute. This composition is in the captivating raga des set to Tala aadi by its composer Veena Kuppiayya.
7. Thillana -This was the concluding piece of the recital and is a pure dance composition. It is composed by famed composer Maharapuram Santhanam. It is in Raga Basantbahar and Tala aadi.
What is the hardest part of being a dancer?
Being a dancer is so enjoyable that I don’t think there is any hard part to it.
If you were given an opportunity to perform anywhere in the world where would you like to perform? Why?
If I were given a chance to perform anywhere in the world I would choose to perform in Chennai or anywhere in South India because I think it is there where I will find connoisseurs of Bharatanayam.
Tell us something about your years in dance?
My years in dance have been most memorable and unforgettable. This is just my first step and I hope I will be able to remain sincere in the persuasion of this divine art form.
Have you won any awards in the field of Bharatnatyam?
I am just a toddler in the field of Bharatanatyam! I haven’t won any awards or prizes related to dance as yet.
Do you plan to have stage performances in future?
I would certainly like to have a few stage performances but with the advice of my teacher because he knows what is best for me.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I like to play basketball. I have played basketball for the Pune team in the under thirteen category. I also like playing the harmonium. I won the third prize at the Sharda Sangeet Vidyalaya competition in the Hindustani instrumental section for harmonium. Drawing and painting are very close to my heart. This year I appeared for my intermediate drawing grade examination. Having appeared for the elementary grade exam, I got a B grade.
Besides these, I absolutely love reading books. P.G. Wodehouse, Agatha Christie and Satyajit Ray are some of my favourite authors.
What’s next in your career as a dancer?
I think a few competitions will be fun!
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I think I see myself as a part of sir’s troupe five years from now and also as a hardworking solo Bharatanatyam performer
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