Simple and yet spontaneous

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For any dancer, the world of dance is their universe. And the possibilities seem endless, which further stimulates the mind and pushes you to create and think out of the box. All this is certainly not possible without the passion for dance and Priyadarsini Govind, a leading Bharatnatyam danseuse without a doubt exudes that love for dance.
She will present a new realm of collaboration Karuna Saagaram along with one of the foremost Carnatic vocalists, Bombay Jaysri Ramnath, at the National Centre for Performing Arts on March 26. She will perform a Bharatnatyam recital to Jaysri’s vocals. The production is based on Muthuswami Dikshitar’s kriti, Jambupethe in raaga Yamunakalyani, inspired by the Hindustani raaga Yaman Kalyan. The artistes have also chosen to take verses from Thiruppugazh poetry in praise of Lord Murugan, which have been set to music by Jayashri and choreographed into a Kautuvam by Priyadarsini. The other items include an ashtapadi, Maamiyam Chalita and Vasant Ritu, a pure dance item with motifs of spring, featuring a Swaralaya to which Jayashri has set swara patterns.
Priyadarsini says that she has been extremely fortunate to work with an artiste like Jaysri. “We have performed something on these lines before. I have a high regard for her as an artist and we understand each other’s sensibilities, which helps us get along very well,” she says. The interesting thing about this collaboration is that it came about naturally. “The whole planning came about so spontaneously and smoothly. I would know what Jaysri wanted and vice versa, so it worked well in that sense. Moreover, it has been specially designed and planned keeping an audience in mind,” she says.
She admits to the fact that being a soloist in today’s times is difficult. “Art is a very demanding career and you have to find your way here. You have to strive hard for opportunities and even create them at times. A lot of time and endurance is needed and it is definitely not easy,” she says.
Considering that many senior soloists rue the lack of dedication from young dancers who end up doing classical and contemporary dance, Priyadarsini says, “At some point of time they have to choose between what they exactly want and work towards that with full dedication. Many a time we don’t realise our goals at once and it’s okay to juggle between two things. Then there is a time when we need to pinpoint and say: this is it,” says Priyadarsini.
What she will be doing five years down the line or tomorrow is unknown to Priyadarsini, like anyone else. “It’s really difficult to say where one is going to be tomorrow. But whatever I will end up doing, I’ll ensure that I’ll be happy. Dance has always given me pleasure and always will,” she says.