How a dancer received the 'Sangita Kalanidhi' title for music - Part 4 l T Balasaraswati l MOPA

In this episode, we see Balasaraswati’s fondness for Hindustani music, one that sprung from growing up with the great artistes her grandmother Veena Dhanammal hosted at her home in Georgetown in Madras, such as Gauhar Jan and Roshanara Begum. Later, she herself hosted and developed close bonds with Siddeshwari Devi, Amir Khan and Birju Maharaj during their visits to Madras for concerts. Bala’s vocal renditions show an unmistakable leaning towards Hindustani flavours even as she rendered core Carnatic ragas like Shankarabharanam, Varali and Poorvikalyani.

The content in this episode is part of an in-depth exhibition on Bala, titled 'Credo of a Dancer' that was curated and produced by MOPA Foundation in 2019, in collaboration with Balasaraswati Institute of Performing Arts, Chennai.

©MOPA Foundation and Balasaraswati Institute of Performing Arts, Chennai

MOPA thanks Kauvery Hospitals, Chennai, for their support in this archival project.

Credits:
Photographs of Balasaraswati:
Balasaraswati Institute of Performing Arts, Chennai, India

Viruttam recording:
Balasaraswati Institute of Performing Arts, Chennai, India

Excerpts from the essay:
The Consummate Musicianship of a Dancer - by Savita Narasimhan

Video editing:
Samanvitha G Sasidaran

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