Dr. Saraswathi Rajathesh “Every Role Of Mine Is Important”

Bangalore based Dr Saraswati Rajathesh is a professional doctor and Kuchipudi exponent heading the Natya Saraswati Dance Centre who is pursuing her research as to how dance and music can be used as therapy to cure psychosomatic diseases. She is also credited with organizing two major festivals in India, Akhila Karnataka Kuchipudi Nrityotsava(AKKN) and Nrityabharathi travelling festival. The 8th edition of Nrityabharathi was held in Kolkata for the first time at ICCR auditorium as a tribute to India’s Independence recently. In an exclusive interview to CINEBUSTER, Dr Saraswathi reveals to VIJAY SHANKER how she is able to pursue two professions, her passion for Kuchipudi with performances both in India and abroad and her experience in the choreography of Bollywood numbers and much more.

How and when did you get initiated to dance?
I got initiated when I was 6 years old. My mother had immense interest in dance which she missed in her young age. She used to observe my rhythmic movements to any music and later decided to enrol me in a nearby dance school.

Is dance hereditary or your personal choice?
Why Kuchipudi and not any other style?I started with Bharat Natyam as we had a teacher nearby my house. I completed my rangapravesham in 1988 and later started with Kuchipudi.

Did your family support you or not?
Yes always.

Did your academic pursuits hinder dance or vice versa?
No.

When did you decide to become a doctor?
It’s actually my father’s wish as his mother was a successful doctor. I was encouraged to take up medicine

When did you decide to become a dancer? How do you manage two professions at the same time?
I became a serious dancer after marriage and manage both professions along with the responsibilities of family.

When did you establish Natyasaraswati and why?
It was nearly 25 years ago that Natyasaraswathi was established and the name consists of my name too. The goal was to promote and propagate Indian dance.

Tell us about the two major festivals you are organizing!
Akila Karnataka Kuchipudi Nrityotsava(AKKN) has been organized to promote and propagate Kuchipudi in rural Karnataka where Kuchipudi is alien for most people, it is quite exciting and an experience by itself. The Nrityabharati travelling festival has been organized with the intention of promoting classical dance in India itself and dancers are thrilled to perform in other cities. We started in Hyderabad and have also performed in Bangalore, Tanjavoor, New Delhi, USA and for the first time in Kolkata as a mark of tribute to India’s Independence with beautiful music of Vande Mataram being composed by Bangalore’s Praveen D. Rao. We will also be travelling later to Europe.

Which role of yours is most important and why- daughter, wife, mother, teacher, dancer, choreographer or organizer?
Every role is important for a successful carrier. As god has given the strength for multitasking responsibilities for a woman already, I could manage everything in a balanced way.

Do you feel that classical dance and music can be used as a therapy to cure psychosomatic diseases or lifestyle diseases like blood pressure, asthma, heart disease, acidity, mental depression etc?
Of course yes, and it is also the subject of my new research.

Could you elaborate?
Unfortunately due to technical advancement, our life is becoming more mechanical and we are drifting away from nature, hence both mentally and physically we get exhausted. For instance many people work during night and rest during the day time, which is quite unhealthy, leading to other problems and moreover we do not eat proper meals at the right time, which spoils our health. The so-called life style diseases happens when we don’t take proper care of health due to work factors which has negative effect on our health and well being. It is a proven fact that music is relaxing and soothing, particularly there are “ragas” (musical notes) that can rejuvenate, refresh and bring peace and tranquility which is essential for proper health. By practicing yoga and classical dance one can always remain healthy, mentally and physically.

What role does cosmetic surgery play in the life of a dancer?
When the dancer has to be a professional like a glamorous celebrity she or he will go for surgery. As far as classical dance is concerned it’s not very much needed, unless there are very major cosmetic corrections.

Please share your experience with your mentors!
I initiated my dance in 1984 with my first guru Smt Samrajyam Ramana Rao who is no more now. This was in Tanjavoor style of Bharat Natyam and she was an inspiration to start my movements and quite strict. Kuchipudi was initiated in Telugu university under the tutelage of Uma Rama Rao in 1991. Later after my studies and marriage, Guru Vedantam Ramu used to visit Bangalore from Chennai and I became his disciple.

Go on!
In this ongoing journey, I happened to do my masters in Kuchipudi at Siddendra Kalakshetram Kuchipudi village in 2006 under the tutelage of Vendantam Radhesyam,Pasumarthi Ratteya Sarma and Vedantam Ramalingashastry Sir from whom I learnt the most traditional style of Kuchipudi. Faculty like Guru Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma corrected many of my Satyabhama abhinaya and techniques.

What is your experience in choreography?
Besides doing choreography for stage and movie productions, it is interesting to narrate my experience in Germany. My husband Rajathesh was an official with Robert Bosch in 1997 and we were stationed in Stuttgart famous for Mercedes Benz, My friends Andrea Selena and Sonya Asmahan who were established Egyptian belly dancers, told me about the craze for Bollywood numbers and that I must teach as it has a huge market. With my varied dance experience, I started teaching all the Madhuri Dixit numbers and termed it as Bollyclassic. Today I have about 500 students in Europe in cities like Frankfurt, Karlsruche, Stuttgart, Ludwigsburg, Munich, France, Switzerland, Italy, Slovakia and Czech Republic.

Can you recollect your most memorable performance both in India and abroad?
Nothing has been very special. All my performances were memorable including in India and abroad as I have been travelling to Europe and USA for the past 20 years.

What has been your happiest moment in life?
I’d honestly say that it is yet to come.

Is there any unusual incident or anything that disturbs you?
Partiality for the artists and art field where the profession has lot of selfishness, greed and non openness which can’t be bearable and many times real talents are not recognized .This injustice makes me disturbed.

Are you happy in life as a dancer or person?
I am happy and contented as a dancer and also as a person because I believe that god should be willing to allow us for our endeavors.

What are your future aspirations or plans?
I am of the opinion that art and culture in India have to be saved for future generations. I would like to work and contribute my life to promote art and culture.