Traditional relationship between teacher and student
Subashini PATHMANATHAN
In classical tradition, the teacher-student relationship is sacred.
The teacher is looked upon as a mentor of the student's life. It is not
only in dancing but also in general life. It is best for a student to
study art under the same teacher all throughout.
In the past the disciples, irrespective of their family background,
stayed with the teacher at his residence. During this stay the student
is supposed to serve the teacher as maximum as possible and obtain
vigorous training. Such residence was referred to as gurukula . The type
of training is called guru shishya parampara .
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A student should be obedient to the teacher |
The students will later devote their whole life to the art form.
Ancient theses laid down certain qualities for a teacher, which is known
as gurulakshanam. It applies not only to the teachers of the past but
also their modern counterparts. A teacher must posses a thorough
knowledge of all aspects of theory and practice.
If required the teacher must dance and demonstrate to the students.
He must also possess certain good qualities such as patience,
discipline, peaceful mind, charm, kindness and caring towards the
students. The master treats all the students alike, irrespective of
their family background, maintaining firm discipline.
There are ancient guidelines for a dance guru, which are known as
thanthras. They are five altogether.
Matcha Thanthra means that the teacher must impart the art in a
perfect manner and leave it to the students to improve it on their own,
just as how the fish hatches its eggs by glancing them. In Kurma
Thanthra the teacher trains the student. With his thoughts he induces
the students to develop the art a tortoise lays its eggs on earth and
lets them hatch there through its willpower while the tortoise is in
water. In Bharmara Thanthra the teacher keeps a continuous watch on the
students, which provides an opportunity to develop and acquire high
standard in the art.
Next is Marjara Thanthra. The guru keeps on watching students until
he acquires full knowledge and efficiency in the art. Just the way a cat
protects its kittens until they reach the stage of self-sufficiency.
Last is Markata Thanthra - like the monkey which always carries its baby
wherever it goes, the students too must go with the teacher wherever he
goes.
All these thanthras are based on the teacher's Mano Tharmam.
Students must also possess certain qualities such as general
intelligence, enthusiasm, self motivation, self interest, ability to
work hard, struggle to come up, cooperating with self determination,
obedience, devotion and dedication to the art.
The students could be divided into four divisions: uttama (superior),
matima (mediocre), adhana (below average) and adhamadhana (inferior).
But unfortunately the mentality of students and teachers are now changed
completely. The students and the teachers are alike seeking publicity.
It has become totally commercialised.
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