An actress's aspirations

by Rohan Jayetilleke

The actors, actresses and exponents of the fine arts generally do not give back to society what they derive from their respective disciplines. Though past her prime Jayabharathi is a different artiste. She now promotes Bharathanatyam.

Though she has retained much of the looks that set the silver screen ablaze in the 1970s and 1980s, she is a woman who does not miss out on the ordinary pleasures of life, being a caring mother, a protective sister and a passionate artiste. Being a Malayalam actress who acted in Tamil movies too, is spirited as ever. Facing the camera her make-up man gives the glamour and poise she needs. She is tireless and in her eight-hour shift of daily life, she is trying to give back to her first love, Bharathanatyam the promotion and encouragement it needs.

Sitting in her sprawling house in Strelign Road, Chennai, India she says, "I want to do whatever little I can for the art that has given me all that I could have only dreamt of", in her unmistakable Malayalam accent. She is busy these days with her dance school, Aswathi Arts Academy, which she runs from home. She is also starting another in Coimbatore. She adds, "I want to encourage more and more youngsters to pursue this beautiful art form of South Indian Bharathanatyam.

"She was trained from the age of five under Kalamandalam Natrajan, Rajaram, and Vazhuoor Samraj Pillai. Jayabharathi entered filmdom as a teenager and her life revolved around film studies, dance rehearsals and stage performances. Balancing between two demanding professions she had no time for sleep and socialization. One brought the wherewithal of finances to the family, and the other filled her creative urge. "I remember once during a recital in Kerala," says Jayabharathi," water was oozing out of the blisters on my feet as I had been on location shooting that entire day in the hot sun for a folk dance in the Malayalam remake of 'Alibaba and 40 thieves". She says "The pain still exists. I did all kinds of roles, sexy or sober for economic reasons, but never compromised on discipline and hard work".

Once she was posed the question "What is your most valuable property? She without batting an eyelid replied," Salangai' (dance). "What she would like to be reborn? Another question the reply is "Jayabharathi's sister or brother. Her evocative unpretentiousness is most touching. Given another opportunity she would like to model her career after Vyjayanthimala Bali. Before the cameras or on stage she is always magical. At this age, her agility and stamina are without a peer. Two years back she performed in nine temples in and around Kerala, but she prefers to perform in Chennai. It is emotional watching her dancing.

The actress is now busy hurrying to catch up with things she had missed. For instance, sabha-hopping during Margazhi seasonal festival. She always pampers her college-going son. She surmises, "I want to be there always for him till he finds his own space in this world. The best thing about him is he understands my struggle, my aspirations and my limitations". This is truly the Indian mind, unswayed by globalized consumerism and plastic civilizations and cultures. The writer is a member of the Baharathiya Kala Kendra.