By Niby Ann Mohan
Anupama Mohan is a famous Kuchipudi dancer and the wife of Malayalam filmmaker Mohan. Taking to dance at the early age of four, Anupama has become one of the best-known disciples of Dr Vempati Chinna Satyam.
You started dancing at the age of four? Who was the motivator at that age?
My father Venkayya Naidu was a passionate lover of art and was also a business man. He discovered the hidden talent in me and approached Guru Shri Kota Subramanya Shastry of Nellore. Till the age of eight, I got training there and then I went to Padmabhushan Dr Vempatti Chinnasathyam. There we had Gurukula Sampradhaya.
How many years you trained under Dr Vempatti Chinnasathyam and what was the experience at Gurukulam?
I have trained there for about 16 years. In Gurukulam, it was a wonderful experience which is not known to the new generation. I was in the first batch of the Gurukulam. He moulded our character. He taught us how to behave in society. During that period, I got opportunity to perform in the presence of former president Dr S Radhakrishnan and I also got a chance to visit London the age of 13. The relationship between teachers and students were great on those days. I have noticed that these days parents opt for private coaching. It will adversely affect the child as they are losing their capacity for observation. If they are training in a group, they can observe others and learn from others too. I can certainly say that whatever I have earned is because of my Guru and the Gurukula education.
You have got an opportunity to perform in many foreign countries and what was the experience?
As I told you I got a chance to visit London at the age of 13. I knew nothing at that age. Later, I visited France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium and many other countries. The audience outside the country is really great. If a performance takes place, they never leave their seats. They will wait till the end. If they like the performance, they will clap nonstop and then we have to come again to the stage and if they clap again we have to perform again. In India, we never get such audience.
You are nicknamed Narada. How did it come?
I have performed the character, Narada, in Sree Krishna Parijatham more than 500 stages. And I am basically from Andhra Pradesh and my maiden name was Anupama Naidu. Many people and critics who don't know my name started calling Narada
About your academy, Sathyaanjali?
Sathyaanjali is one and only academy which teaches only Kuchipudi. Its aim is to popularise Kuchipudi in its tradition. I started Sathyaanjali as a token of gratitude to my Guru Dr Vempatti Chinnasathyam. I used to conduct a 10-day workshop named 'Kuchipudi Natyabhivrudhi' every year throughout Kerala.
Is there any plan to start regular classes in Thrissur?
Yes, from Monday I will start Kuchipudi regular classes in Thrissur- one class in a week. No age limit there. Home makers, students and anyone can join the classes.
Any experiment on Kuchipudi?
I am planning to do some experiments. As a first step, I am planning to do Rabindranath Tagore's Chandalika which was composed by my Guru.
You had a break from the field. What happened?
Yes. I got fracture in my leg while I was dancing. I had to take rest for one and a half years.
Has cinema influenced you as the wife of a film director?
Cinema didn't influence me. Actually, Mohan was impressed by my performance and invited me to the film Randu Penkuttikal and I went. During the shoot, he proposed me. At first, I didn't say anything. Then, his another project Vadakaveedu came and I acted in it. Later, I said yes. Since then, I have not acted in films.
If you get a character role in a film, would you like to take up?
No, never... but I like to choreograph for cinema, not cinematic dances but classical dances.
What are the future plans?
My aim is to popularise the intrinsic Kuchipudi all over Kerala. I will work hard for it. Most of our Kuchipudi dance teachers are not much educated in the basics and theories of Kuchipudi. And I am planning to educate these teachers through regular classes and will distribute the certificate from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University.
