Recently 'Sharadotsav', the annual Bharatanatyam festival,
was conducted by Sri
Guruvayurappan Bhajan Samaj Trust featuring various artistes
of national and international repute. In the valedictory, the
organizers made a special mention of Ranjani Ganesan,
who helped them in organizing this festival year after year.
Besides being a regular participant at many national festivals,
this dancer organizes 'Arudhra', an annual dance festival
to promote deserving artistes. This grand display of Bharatanatyam
was held recently at Ravindra Kalakshetra. Bangalorebest.com
spoke to her about this festival and her career in dance
and teaching.
You have undertaken to organize the prestigious dance festival
'Arudhra'. What was your main intention in conducting this event?
This festival is being conducted to give an opportunity to deserving
artistes in Bharatanatyam and also bring veterans back
into the limelight. Many talented artistes are unable to perform
and showcase their expertise due to economic difficulties. I
started my dance school 'Ponnambalam' with this point
in my mind. In my school, I have taken students who cannot afford
exorbitant fees because of their poor background. And I always
make sure that every artiste who performs on stage should get
the remuneration she deserves.
You hail from a traditional Tanjavoor family with a legacy of
classical dance
heritage. As they say, artistes are not made, they are born.
What do you feel about the importance of nurture and guidance
of parents?
No doubt a creative person is born talented, but the refinement
in an artiste can only happen in the right atmosphere. An artiste
cannot develop in a hostile climate where there is no support.
You think creatively in a peaceful environment, without worrying
about day to day problems. It is essential that parents have
to be very supportive to build a creativemind. At least
during the initial struggle, to focus on one's aim, we should
be supported. In this matter, I would say all factors are binding
and essential. In my case, my parents have always guided me
since my childhood and now my husband is a pillar of support
for me.
Can an artiste restrict herself to just doing creative work
or does she also have to market it herself?
No, nowadays an artiste cannot afford to wait for opportunities
to come to the doorstep. We have to gain public relations and
contacts to show our work. Otherwise, in this competitive era,
how can anybody know about one talented artiste hidden away
from the spotlight… When I was studying in Kalakshetra in
Chennai, it was not this professional. We didn't know what
to do after the diploma, because we knew only the academic part.
How are we supposed to go ahead in life as an artiste was the
big dilemma. But now there are dance schools and support groups
to promote artistes and approach people for sponsorships. My
dance school itself is projecting artistes both as performers
and teachers.
You have performed in national festivals in Khajuraho, Mahabalipuram
and Chidambaram. Do you feel any difference in the audience
and the ambience ?
Obviously, there is a difference in the audience you see
in Khajuraho and Chidambaram. The Khajuraho festival
is organized by the Central Government on a massive scale for
the benefit of tourists, both Indian and foreign. Though the
audience is very receptive, they are unable to understand the
nuances of classical dance. In contrast, Chidambaram
is in the heart of Bharatanatyam tradition and it is natural
that you evoke a different response from the audience. Among
metros, naturally Chennai takes the lead in being the
cultural capital, but Bangalore is not far behind. In
fact in recent years, there has been a tremendous growth in
cultural activity in the city. Particularly the ICCR unit here
has very well promoted and fostered art and culture activities.
I have been empanelled by ICCR, who gave me the opportunity
to present a dance drama 'Pranathosmi Bharatam' for the 50th
year of independence celebrations.
This exponent of Bharatanatyam is a great admirer of Leela
Samson, in whose dance dramas she was a regular artiste.
Let us hope she will follow her footsteps and will build a thriving
platform for budding artistes in the city.
1:05:39 AM 
Guruvayurappan Bhajan Samaj Trust featuring various artistes
of national and international repute. In the valedictory, the
organizers made a special mention of Ranjani Ganesan,
who helped them in organizing this festival year after year.
Besides being a regular participant at many national festivals,
this dancer organizes 'Arudhra', an annual dance festival
to promote deserving artistes. This grand display of Bharatanatyam
was held recently at Ravindra Kalakshetra. Bangalorebest.com
spoke to her about this festival and her career in dance
and teaching.
heritage. As they say, artistes are not made, they are born.
What do you feel about the importance of nurture and guidance
of parents? 
see
in Khajuraho and Chidambaram. The Khajuraho festival
is organized by the Central Government on a massive scale for
the benefit of tourists, both Indian and foreign. Though the
audience is very receptive, they are unable to understand the
nuances of classical dance. In contrast, Chidambaram
is in the heart of Bharatanatyam tradition and it is natural
that you evoke a different response from the audience. Among
metros, naturally Chennai takes the lead in being the
cultural capital, but Bangalore is not far behind. In
fact in recent years, there has been a tremendous growth in
cultural activity in the city. Particularly the ICCR unit here
has very well promoted and fostered art and culture activities.
I have been empanelled by ICCR, who gave me the opportunity
to present a dance drama 'Pranathosmi Bharatam' for the 50th
year of independence celebrations.
