Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Exit gracefully

It was when the Kalyan Utsavam of Thirupathi Perumal took place at the Chennai Island ground a few months back. I was just changing the channels with the remote control as usual. All of a sudden I saw a fat lady dressed as a gypsy dancing. I thought it was Ganesh and the fat lady Aarthi in a comedy program and passed through but only after sometime I realized that the program was the Bharathanatyam of Dr.Padma Subramaniam in the Kalyana Utsavam. I could not digest that, believe me, I initially thought it was Aarthi in a comedy program. I am a lover of our heritage arts like carnatic music, bharatanatyam etc., and when I was in College, I went to Kumbakonam (from Papanasam) all alone, on my own, to see her dance performance of Kamba Ramayanam, when everyone of my age was going to dance, cinema, beach etc.,, . The depiction of the scene of Rama looking at Sita for the first time (Annalum Nokkinar, Avalum Nokkinal) is still lingering my memory even after nearly 30 years. I am an ardent lover of the art though I don’t know anything about the art and my daughter did her Arangetram at the age of 12. But what Padma Subramaniam did on that day was a total disgrace to the art and I can not but describe it than “the ugliest”. I know she has researched/ contributed so much to the art and is continuing to do so but this was the feeling I got when I saw her performance that day.

Not only her, lot many stalwarts are doing that – Vaijayanthimala in her 70s is another awkward. Can you believe that she is dancing even now with all hanging flesh in her face? Dhananjeyan and Shantha Dhananjeyan in their 60s are doing it. Remember all these stalwarts are having their own dance schools where they have enormous youth power. Many beautiful serial artists and movie actors are coming out from those dance schools only. If they put in some good thinking they can do fantastic performances with their youth power and it is possible for them to divert lot of youth currently tending towards Kuthupattu, Maanada-Maylilada, Jodi No 1,2,3.. etc., towards this beautiful art. Before that they should first accept their age and stop performing themselves to create some disinterest in the art and make even those interested in the art to leave. On that day, I am sure the Bharathanatyam art would have gone into severe criticism by many of the non-Hindus and many of the so called modern people who are waiting to defame our heritage and culture.

Both Carnatic music and Bharathanatyam are fantastic arts and have so much to offer to the youth as well as aged but mostly now, these are being offered with only the content for elders. Which youth, especially those who don’t know anything about the ragas (like me) will sit and hear 30-45 minutes of raga alabanai? Whereas carnatic music has enough to mesmerise people for several hours. All stalwarts are interested only in showing up their expertise, they don’t bother to promote the art, to promote the youth, to attract the youth, to nourish the art..

I request all these stalwarts who have crossed 50s – You have done enough to show your capabilities and talent and people also have accepted your genius nature – now stop promoting yourself - the youth is currently tending towards the wrong side and there is an emergency to do something to pull them out - please do something to promote that art among the youth – or atleast stop doing something that will chase away the youth from the art.

This not only holds good for Bharathanatyam and carnatic music, take the case of our cricketers, politicians, actors - this the same everywhere. While the stalwarts were of so much pleasure in their respective field in their youths, they compensate it by being a burden equally in their second half.

Take the case of Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri, Ganguly, to name a few. They contributed so much and won so many matches for the country but in the later half, they also won equal matches but this time….. for the opposition. Currently Sachin is waiting for the ungraceful exit. I can see the one and only exception in Anil Kumble, Mr.Gentleman.

Remember Don Bradman – there can not be a better example for graceful exit. He is remembered now only because of his graceful exit at the peak of his career. Had he prolonged his career for some more years and exited with several failures, who would remember him? he would have been another ordinary cricketer like Gavaskar! I don’t know how that tradition continues even now in Australia – Border, Steve Waugh, Chappels, Shane Warne all exited – or made to exit – ceremoniously.

Take the case of our actors Kamal, Rajini, even MGR, Sivaji – they all prolonged / prolonging to be out ungracefully. See the movie Vettaiyadu/ Vilaiyadu, Kamal with all his enormous extra flesh in his face and the fat belly could not match the speed and the smartness required for the role he played (Police officer). He was the ugliest in Dasavadharam. The same case with Rajini in Baba – somehow he managed in Shivaji – but I am sure they both are waiting for the unceremonious exit only.

Our politicians – Take the case of our Mr.MK- He was so much of a treasure to the party in his youth and contributed so much to it but now, as everyone knows he, along with his family, is a total burden to the party and undoing all what he had contributed to the party. He will bury and seal his party before handing over it to another. Of course it is good for the state and I wish him good health and many more years so that he buries the party so deep that no one can dig it out!.

Let us learn from the Australian cricketers – Exit ceremoniously when you start feeling your deteriorating age and leave the field to the youngsters.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

INDEED A THOUGHTFUL ONE........

R.BALAJI

Unknown said...

You are100% correct. This message must go to them If you or your contacts have their address or e'mail ID we can this request to them
All The Best,
M.R.SRINIVASAN

Unknown said...

hi Great Message ,
I hope no one Will Exit
Till We (Audience)push them ..to do that:-)

Anonymous said...

This is a very well written post...as always, your work has been outstanding...keep up the great contributions! There could not be 2 opinions on this more than 100 percent correct observations..

In the film world, Rekha was a rage at one time...until recently when one saw her in "Om shanti Om" you felt like she should not have been featured in that song at all...and still acting seductive even if it meant only a single shot - it gave you a disgusting feeling)

I am sure it applies to all fields which capitalize on youth and high energy involvement...these folks should look for virtual measures. Rekha lends her voice to 2-3 generations of actresses these days and I must say she does a pretty good job of it :)
Shoba Ramesh

Anonymous said...

These living fossils' audience is mainly their students and their relatives. It's good: sooner or later these students will realize that they have been let down. By that time the other schools' dancers will come up. Let the rotten tree rot completely.

murthy ck said...

very daring comments but true.very good and keep it up
c.k.murthy

Unknown said...

Though I did not see that programme I agree with you. B
ut they should renounce their ambition at certain times,unfortunately this is not so.

DrSatishKumarGS said...

Retirement kills more people than hard work ever did. Malcolm S. Forbes
----------------------
It is time I stepped aside for a less experienced and less able man.- Professor Scott Elledge on his retirement from Cornell
-------------------------

Anonymous said...

generally when we watch any movies of aged heroes with young heroines,we get disgusted n switch off the channel.but i appreciate u to come up with such a bold n brave statement which is absolutely 100% accurate. i stand by u. regards jaya

Patts said...

True, such yester-year stars need to exit gracefully, but then the control lies more with us than with them; show goes on if there are spectators. In fields like politics or science or medicine - this may not apply; in fact, more the age, more the experience and so you are wanted at least as a consultant.

s.ganesan said...

Excellant , thought provoking article. Will the concerend listen?

S.Ganesan

Anonymous said...

This is the problem with this generation of people. They are so selfish that they don't do any help for the society. All the time they look after themselves till the end.

They forget one thing.
"HELPING OTHERS WILL MAKE THEM TO LIVE FOR EVER IN THIS WORLD."

Anonymous said...

You are right. it is pathetic to see aged bharatnatyam artists trying to emote on stage and ending up looking gross.

i am okay with singers - they do get someone to sit with them and sing along. so it does not sound bad.

crickteers - they dont like leaving center stage - they should plan for their retirement before thir time is out. this way they dont have to stop all of a sudden

Unknown said...

I feel we have to tell their students about that.
See what Sirisha had to write on
http://sangeethas.wordpress.com/2008/04/15/classical-dance-competition-at-mumbai/ :
"I am no more with any guru presently, but did n number of shows for my gurus at their corporate shows and their umpteen lecture demos.I thank them whole heartedly for making me a dancer of really competetive level, it was that gratitude which held me for long all this while. But now am out of the institution for good, cant blame anyone for anything.but thought should voice the exploitation only once and walk out.I have being teaching with them for eight years, and was among their cream of senior ensembles. But how long should i keep quiet?????? No answer,"

It is high time we support the decision by ICCR.

Unknown said...

Senior classical dancers do funny things, as written on
http://www.kutcheribuzz.com/news/20080320/indiandance.asp

Unknown said...

I agree with you. By staying put, they are erasing the good name that they got when they were young and did well. After they actually exit, the people remember the last few years more than the initial years and the less performing years are remembered more.

I recall a dialogue by Athithya Karikalan in Kalkis' great epic 'Ponniyin Selvan' - "Vanthiyatheva, See the drawings of all my ancestors. They have done a lot of brave acts when they were young. But the drawings here are of their old age, when they have lost almost all the shine in their eyes. See that one king (I forgot the name). He died young and the drawing also shows him young. He will permanently be young in the minds of people'.

Raju said...

Thanks for everyone for voicing their opinion. As somebody says, it should be ok for carnatic music, provided the voice retains its sheen. MS was performing till her death, of course with a supportive voice which was enjoyed by everyone including me. That was a different story. The ugliest is these fat and hanging flesh faced stalwarts doing the bharathanatyam. Let us continue to voice our opinion wherever possible and let God save the art!

Anonymous said...

Hello Sir,
A nice article on Bharathanattiyam with active comments to follow.Younger artists must be engaraged.
R.C.Palaniappan

Unknown said...

gorating article. well written
i wish the right people read and mend their ways

Anonymous said...

FULL AGREE WITH YOU AND YOUR VUIEWS ON ELDERS CONTINUING TO PERFORM TO SHOW THEIR TALENTS. aS YOU HAVE CORRECTL;Y SAID IT, IT IS UGLY AND UNWARRANTED. wE SHOULD BLAME OURSELVES- WE SHOULD BOYCOT THEIR PROGRAMS. iF YOU M AKE THE PERFORMING HALL EMPTY OFR THEIR PROGRAMS, THEY WUILL THINK TWICE BEFORE ACCEPTING TO PERFORM.

SEVEL KRISHNAN

Unknown said...

This is the sad state of affairs today. Your thoughts are indeed superb. I hope that people definitely read this and they should

Anonymous said...

I am surprised that your patently ageist remarks have gotten such a positive response. So you can only enjoy the spectacle of young beautiful women/men dancing?

Amongst the best classical dance recitals I have seen are those of an aging Kelucharan Mahopatra and aged Birju Maharaj.

Yes, being obese (or even plump, really) or out of shape affects the quality of the dance considering the rigor and precision required but just AGE?? I don't think so. FOr that matter, many ballet and modern dancers are into their sixties. What do you think - that people should just bury their heads and stop having energy, projects, creativity, or aspirations once their skin starts wrinkling????

Raju said...

Hi uvio,
Yes, no doubt, I can only enjoy the young, beautiful and skilled artists doing the bharatanatyam. If you can enjoy only the aged and hanging fleshed faces, just be it. If you wish, I can buy you life time tickets for Vaijanathi mala bali, Padma Subramanaiam and the Dhananjayans. I also wish to draw your attention to the next article, a continuation of this.
Thanks.

Unknown said...

In Natya Shastra and Abhinayadarpanam we read that dance is related to the beauty of the body, and anything other than that is a parody.

If the senior dancers want us to never open the scriptures and read who can be considered as dancers and read the clear criteria, these senior dancers are betraying our tradition.

Unknown said...

If Alarmel Valli can stay youthful and beautiful at her 55, why would the 40-year-olds look like 60???

Anonymous said...

I do agree with Raju on the same. The oldies have exhibited all their skills and talents. It is high time, they leave it to the younger generations now. A thought prvoking article indeed!!!

Sandhya Parthangal

Unknown said...

Very well narated. When the age for retirement is fixed at 58, the politicians start their life at 60. This is the fate of India !!Allmost all of us will agree that when will India see some smart, honest & young leader?

Anonymous said...

But you have to edit the post and should remove Rajini from the example of disgraceful exit..
Indeed he has proved it now.