Late Guru Swarna Saraswathy a gem from the Tanjavore traditional dancer's family with whom I had the longest innings of training in Bharatanatyam. A beautiful, humble, affectionate human being whose each movement of hand or her beautiful eyes would keep me encaptivated, wanting to see more. She instilled in me the discipline needed and love for the art. Her unending treasure of repertoire from her training under legendary Gurus of the by gone era like late Mylapore Gowri Ammal, Tiruvenkatanattuvanar and Visry Chinnaih Naidu was shared whole heartedly with her dedicated students.She was trained in Carnatic vocal music by the great Tiger Varadachari and Namkal Shesha Iyengar.She was awarded the title of “Natya Kala Visharada” by Jagannatha Bhakta Sabha, “Natya Rani” by Indian Fine Arts Society. “Abhinaya Saraswathy” by Saraswathy Gana Sabha, “Natya Kalanidhi” by Trichy Sangeetha Sabha, Muttamizh Kalai Arasi by Dr. Arumuganar, Delhi & was also the recipient of the prestigious “Sangeeta Nataka Academy Award”.
She established the Bharatanatya Academy in Chennai in the year 1954 and then shifted to Delhi ( which is where I learnt) in 1962 where she trained several batches of Indian and foreign students.
I joined her as a very young girl whom she taught, groomed and moulded into her style.
Padmabhushan Late Smt Kalanidhi Narayanan
Late Guru Kalanidhi Narayanan - My 2nd Guru Smt Kalanidhi Narayanan needs no introduction in the field of Bharatanatyam. A genius, trained in Bharatanatyam by Nattuvanar Kanappa Mudaliar of Kanjeevaram and also Shri Chinnaiya Naidu, she studied Abhinaya from late Mylapore Gowri Ammal . After marriage she dedicated her time to her family and children. She came back into the Bharatanatyam scene after 3 decades with the support of Shri Y.G Doraiswamy. She established her own institution Abhinaya Sudha in Chennai and imparted lessons in Abhinaya to several youngsters. Being a brilliant singer she had an inexhaustive collection of Padams and Javalis. She is the recipient of many awards like Nritya Choodamani from Krishnagana Sabha, Kalaimani from Tamil Nadu Government, the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy award and the Padma Bhushan. She is also the author of the book Aspects of Abhinaya and Triveni.
I had the immense good fortune of studying Abhinaya under her for a good number of years.
Kalaimamani late Guru Lakshmi Viswanathan
Guru Lakshmi Viswanathan from Chennai who again needs no introduction at all. Guru Lakshmi Viswanathan is a Bharatanatyam dancer steeped in the culture of TANJAVUR. She was called as the ‘poetic dancer’ and a ‘dancer’s dancer’. She represented the essence of Tanjavur tradition and was a living legend. She has authored acclaimed books such as 'Bharatanatyam the Tamil Heritage', a biography of Bharat Ratna 'M.S.Subbulakshmi - Kunjamma Ode to a Nightingale', 'Women of Pride the Devadasi Heritage', and 'Kapaliswara Temple' which have earned her a special place in the world of dance. She was also a recipient of the prestigious title of Natya Kalanidhi from ABHAI and Nritya Kalanidhi title from Music Academy, Kalidas Samman award and is also recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy Award.
I have had the immense good fortune of learning some Javalis and Padams under her.
