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| Anil K.Gopinath, Arangam, Alakkod, Kannur |
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Be it out of professional jealousy or otherwise, when Anil K.Gopinath of Alakkod teaches the traditional dance Thiruvathira to his students, many lady dance teachers have felt threatened. But when it becomes practically certain that he could dance as well or even better than them, then the indignation slowly dies down.
In the women’s traditional domain of Thiruvathira dance - which they perform to obtain good husbands – Anil certainly is an odd one out. It was the same when he went to learn the dance from Kalamandalam Sreedevi Brahminiamma, who taught the art in the traditional manner without charging any fee. Anil was the only boy in her class of 17. No wonder, even after becoming a dance master, he happens to be an odd man out.
Anil, who as a child used to accompany the women folk of the neighbourhood during the different phases of the traditional Thiruvathira night, soon developed a yearning to learn more about the dance form. His first teacher was from Alakkod itself. It was after Pre Degree that he went to learn under Kalamandalam Sreedevi.
After studies, when Anil joined as a Thiruvathira teacher in the local school, the management was a little apprehensive. But when his wards started winning laurels at the state level, the apprehension gave way to appreciation. Today, he teaches the dance to students in many schools from Palakkad to Kasargod. He is ready to teach the ‘Instant Thiruvathira’ for school youth festivals as well as the more involved traditional mode of the dance form.
There are women who learn the dance to keep their body graceful. According to Anil, even men could think of learning the dance for the same reason. There is no need to go to any gymnasium. He sites his own example. If the stout boy in school, whom the classmates nicknamed ‘Boost’, could become slim and handsome, then that itself is proof of his assertion.
Courtesy: Sony M.Bhattathirippad, Malayala Manorama, December 25, 2004
Contributed by: Administrator
