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 There was a time when a lovely figure was described as a Paavai Vilakku, a graceful woman with the right curves where it mattered. Another expression was Yaanai Dantha Kai, arms like a smooth ivory tusk. Today being curvy like the Ajanta painting is not considered a compliment. Thank the combination of media, cinema, health and fitness centres and huge auditoriums. Look at the top four of our Bharatanatyam stars - my acronym taken from the world of fashion. R - A - M - P. Rama Vaidyanathan, Alarmel Valli, Malavika Sarukkai and Priyadarshini Govind. Look at their more than slender figures - specially Priya and Rama. Tall and very skinny, these superstar dancers work out daily in variety of ways, gym, running, weight training, yoga and who knows what else. Two of the dancers are in their forties and the other two in their early fifties. And what slim bodies! Fitness for dance is not a chance happening any more. I remember my mother telling me how Vyjayantimala used to eat four Threptin biscuits instead of a meal and then walk around her dining table 25 times to remain slim and fit. This was to remind me to hold off that cheese sandwich I was fond of, and still am! To reflect this changed environment that is not forgiving of age and the inevitable curves and layers that come with time, we begin a new column titled NOT JUST ANYBODY - a tribute to the dancing body. As Martha Graham once said, "Dancers are athletes of the soul." The body is all we have to express, expose and inscribe all our thoughts, dreams and anxieties for the world to see and tear down or applaud. I hope you enjoy this column. Anita R Ratnam Founding Editor |
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