Janaki Rangarajan on a classically rich note

Dancer Janaki Rangarajan in a chat with CT
Dr Janaki Rangarajan has been visiting Chennai regularly for the past seven years during the December season. A dancer who shuttles between the US and Chennai, she enthralled audiences with a margam recital she performed recently in the city. Her experience in the city has been fantastic, she states, and weeks of sabha-hopping has only left her asking for more.CT in a quick chat with the dancer.
THE MARGAZHI MUSIC SEASON EXPERIENCE
The season hasn’t changed in terms of how performances are presented. However, I do witness a lot more experimentation by dancers these days. What’s heartening is that all these experiments are within the boundaries of tradition. Personally, it’s been an enriching experience to just be in Chennai and attend the concerts in the season.
ONE STEP AT A TIME!
For my performance this season, the main Varnam piece was one composed by the Tanjore quartet. It’s a very traditional song and was appreciated by the audience. Among other pieces was one that was a poetry on Lord Narayana and a piece that showcased how a lady is angry about the ways of Krishna.
GO THEMATIC!
I’ve never done thematic performances yet but if I do get an opportunity, I’d like to take up a subject that moves me. For such performances, one needs to research a lot into the literature available. I’d like to present something that holds good for this time and age as well.
INSPIRATIONS/ ROLE MODEL
I don’t have any particular person as my role model; I get inspired by different performers. I look towards stalwarts and contemporaries for inspiration. In fact, some of the dance performances this season had me spellbound.
REACHING YOUNGSTERS
I see a lot of youngsters attending classical music concerts these days. As dancers, we have to give them something that they can relate to. If the topic we choose as a dancer is ancient, it might not exactly appeal to them if it’s not packaged well. After all, at the end of the day, Bharatanatyam is about human emotions and that’s relatable to everyone! I see a positive movement in terms of youngsters being interested in learning dance and exploring its different facets.