CHENNAI: Soft spoken, simple, suave mannered – dance legend Narasimhachari, Guru of an outstanding capacity passed away recently, leaving a deep sense of loss in the minds of many rasikas. It is known that he was also a reputed music composer, choreographer, Mridangam player, all moulded into one, and was always cheerful.
Always an eloquent advocate for the “Gurukula system” of imparting training, Narasimhachari spoke to me in a seminar conducted recently. He said that it was his desire to give back to the field of arts that had nurtured him for so many years. Few know that Chari has instituted endowments in reputed organisations like Krishna Gana Sabha, Narada Gana Sabha, Indian Fine Arts and Kalakshetra - to encourage young talents and to help the student community.
As many would know, this legend’s Abhinaya bore a distinctive grace, always beckoned by a strong sense of textual reasoning, and intrinsic strength of each character. This dancer captured the public imagination, as his Manodharma which bears contextual logic and presented with exciting dynamism and forceful charisma. His composition, the finest-of-its-kind Padavarnam on Rukmini Devi in Suladi Sapta Talas composed in three ragas, bringing out the entire life and achievements of Rukmini Devi (Kalakshetra), was an eye opener to many artistes. It is amazing, that this legend, an M Sc graduate in yoga, has wide knowledge on assorted subjects from ayurveda to reiki and pranic, among many others. He was engaged in writing a South Indian music book with Western notations for Sarali Varisai, Swara Jathis and others.
No doubt, the dancer couple (Narasimhachary and Vasanthalakshmi) who have received awards from five Presidents of India apart from other titles and awards, are names to be reckoned with in Bharathanatyam and are best known for their grand dance dramas on varied themes, including a 17th century opera, Pallaki Seva Prabhandam. Needless to mention that Vasanthalakshmi, his wife, who specialised in Nattuvangam, was the source of his strength and the couple produced more than 20 dance dramas. Natya Veda, one such endeavour, had for its theme, the exploration of the “Vedic Origin of Dance”, as expounded in the Natya Shastra of Bharatha”.Their love for the art is also inherited by their daughters Lasya and Lavanya, who are carrying forward through the Kala Samparna Foundation, founded by the couple. We are sure the baton they have inherited would showcase, the rich legacy of their father’s contribution to dance dramas.
Till the last breath, he stuck to the advices of his maternal uncle “Do things differently” and “God brings people together for some purpose.” He would say “God is always with me, whenever I need him”, and “If God is not with me, then I am with him.” How true that is now!