THE UNDOING DANCE
THE UNDOING DANCE
Srividya Natarajan
- Language: English
- Print Length: 400 pages
- ISBN-10: 9386228890
- ISBN-13: 9789386228895
Kalyani comes from a lineage of famous devadasis, though there is no place for her talent in the Madras of newly independent India. The devadasis, once celebrated as artists, are shunned as 'prostitutes' in a modern country. In exchange for a comfortable life as the wife of a wealthy arts promoter, Kalyani has to keep her origins hidden and abandon her mother, Rajayi. When a Bharatanatyam dancer from the city sets out to record Rajayi's dance repertoire on film, the carefully wrapped-up past threatens to unravel.
Kalyani comes from a lineage of famous devadasis, though there is no place for her talent in the Madras of newly independent India. The devadasis, once celebrated as artists, are shunned as 'prostitutes' in a modern country. In exchange for a comfortable life as the wife of a wealthy arts promoter, Kalyani has to keep her origins hidden and abandon her mother, Rajayi. When a Bharatanatyam dancer from the city sets out to record Rajayi's dance repertoire on film, the carefully wrapped-up past threatens to unravel.
Author Bios:
Srividya Natarajan was the student of the great dance master Kittappa Pillai and of the singer T. Brinda. She has taught and performed classical dance for over thirty years all over the world. Her first novel was a superbly funny satire on caste titled No Onions Nor Garlic.
Srividya Natarajan was the student of the great dance master Kittappa Pillai and of the singer T. Brinda. She has taught and performed classical dance for over thirty years all over the world. Her first novel was a superbly funny satire on caste titled No Onions Nor Garlic.
