<p>A distinguished Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer from Chennai, the magnificent Alarmel Valli is celebrated for her deep connection to nature, poetry, and classical dance. Raised in an environment resplendent with nature’s bountiful resources and free from modern distractions, and trained by legendary gurus such as Pandanallur Sri Chokkalingam Pillai and Sri Subbaraya Pillai, Valli developed a strong foundation in dance, rooted in discipline, substance, and integrity.</p>.<p>The founder of Dipasikha Dance Foundation, the 68-year-old danseuse is known for blending movement, music, and poetry with performances that transcend boundaries and explore the themes of imagination and nature. Recently in Bengaluru for her performance ‘The Forgotten Seed’, the Padma Bhushan winner spoke to DHoS about her formative years, the impact of social media on performing arts and the healing power of classical dance. Excerpts</p>.<p><strong>How did your early years of training influence you?</strong></p>.<p>I was born, educated and raised in Chennai. But while I draw cultural and spiritual sustenance from it, I would like to think that my identity and worldview have been equally shaped by my frequent dance tours across the world right from the time I was 13. The early years of my dance training seem almost like another ‘yuga’. In that pre-tech era, we didn’t have the cacophony of social media, or the distractions of smartphones. Dance classes with my gurus, minus digital recording devices, were leisurely, contemplative, and immersive sessions that enhanced my creative growth. I was an inveterate bookworm; my love of books and poetry was inculcated by my mother. All these experiences coloured my imagination and find expression in my performances even today.</p>.<p><strong>Tell us about your latest performance ‘The Forgotten Seed’ and how it reflects your philosophy.</strong></p>.<p>‘The Forgotten Seed’ is a phrase from one of the many classical Tamil Sangam poems I have choreographed, which reiterates these poets’ close association with nature. The poem is a charming tale about love under a laurel tree, which the protagonists cherish as their little sister. But ‘The Forgotten Seed’ is also a symbol for much that is invaluable which we often forget “to honour, to irrigate, to cultivate, to nurture” — whether it is the inseparable link between man and nature, the nourishment of the creative imagination, or the role of subtlety and subtexts in dance, too often sacrificed to sensationalism. My performance is a reminder of these.</p>.<p><strong>What is your opinion about the influence of social media?</strong></p>.<p>There is tremendous talent amongst the younger generation. But because the dance space today is so overcrowded, it’s unfortunately difficult for many gifted dancers to make their presence felt. Often, one is obliged to “shout” or resort to using a figurative megaphone. Invariably, it translates to dance becoming more dramatic, acrobatic, or sensational, which, needless to say, can overshadow the subtler, deeper elements of the art. I feel social media has played a significant role in promoting and encouraging this focus on the ‘wow’ factor.</p>.<p>It calls for great courage, tenacity and integrity to stay true to one’s convictions when confronted with such relentless pressure. I feel that while we live in a world where attention spans are short, it’s essential — and worth it — to stay true to oneself and not get carried away by flashy trends. As my master would often remind me — true art is rooted in substance, not mere glitter and flash.</p>.<p><strong>How do you think classical dance can be a source of healing?</strong></p>.<p>I believe that classical dance, like most art forms, has a profound ability to heal the spirit. While we cannot but be deeply aware of all the atrocities taking place in the world, we also need arts that nourish the soul, heal, harmonise and awaken the best in us. The finest classical dance and music can achieve this. When I watched Balasaraswati ‘amma’ dance or listened to M S Subbulakshmi ‘amma’ sing, their art evoked visions of beauty and truth. Such art leaves me with a glow in my soul. It takes me out of myself, to a higher plane of existence. In these times of terrible violence and conflict, we need art that offers us islands of sanity in the chaos that surrounds us.</p>
<p>A distinguished Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer from Chennai, the magnificent Alarmel Valli is celebrated for her deep connection to nature, poetry, and classical dance. Raised in an environment resplendent with nature’s bountiful resources and free from modern distractions, and trained by legendary gurus such as Pandanallur Sri Chokkalingam Pillai and Sri Subbaraya Pillai, Valli developed a strong foundation in dance, rooted in discipline, substance, and integrity.</p>.<p>The founder of Dipasikha Dance Foundation, the 68-year-old danseuse is known for blending movement, music, and poetry with performances that transcend boundaries and explore the themes of imagination and nature. Recently in Bengaluru for her performance ‘The Forgotten Seed’, the Padma Bhushan winner spoke to DHoS about her formative years, the impact of social media on performing arts and the healing power of classical dance. Excerpts</p>.<p><strong>How did your early years of training influence you?</strong></p>.<p>I was born, educated and raised in Chennai. But while I draw cultural and spiritual sustenance from it, I would like to think that my identity and worldview have been equally shaped by my frequent dance tours across the world right from the time I was 13. The early years of my dance training seem almost like another ‘yuga’. In that pre-tech era, we didn’t have the cacophony of social media, or the distractions of smartphones. Dance classes with my gurus, minus digital recording devices, were leisurely, contemplative, and immersive sessions that enhanced my creative growth. I was an inveterate bookworm; my love of books and poetry was inculcated by my mother. All these experiences coloured my imagination and find expression in my performances even today.</p>.<p><strong>Tell us about your latest performance ‘The Forgotten Seed’ and how it reflects your philosophy.</strong></p>.<p>‘The Forgotten Seed’ is a phrase from one of the many classical Tamil Sangam poems I have choreographed, which reiterates these poets’ close association with nature. The poem is a charming tale about love under a laurel tree, which the protagonists cherish as their little sister. But ‘The Forgotten Seed’ is also a symbol for much that is invaluable which we often forget “to honour, to irrigate, to cultivate, to nurture” — whether it is the inseparable link between man and nature, the nourishment of the creative imagination, or the role of subtlety and subtexts in dance, too often sacrificed to sensationalism. My performance is a reminder of these.</p>.<p><strong>What is your opinion about the influence of social media?</strong></p>.<p>There is tremendous talent amongst the younger generation. But because the dance space today is so overcrowded, it’s unfortunately difficult for many gifted dancers to make their presence felt. Often, one is obliged to “shout” or resort to using a figurative megaphone. Invariably, it translates to dance becoming more dramatic, acrobatic, or sensational, which, needless to say, can overshadow the subtler, deeper elements of the art. I feel social media has played a significant role in promoting and encouraging this focus on the ‘wow’ factor.</p>.<p>It calls for great courage, tenacity and integrity to stay true to one’s convictions when confronted with such relentless pressure. I feel that while we live in a world where attention spans are short, it’s essential — and worth it — to stay true to oneself and not get carried away by flashy trends. As my master would often remind me — true art is rooted in substance, not mere glitter and flash.</p>.<p><strong>How do you think classical dance can be a source of healing?</strong></p>.<p>I believe that classical dance, like most art forms, has a profound ability to heal the spirit. While we cannot but be deeply aware of all the atrocities taking place in the world, we also need arts that nourish the soul, heal, harmonise and awaken the best in us. The finest classical dance and music can achieve this. When I watched Balasaraswati ‘amma’ dance or listened to M S Subbulakshmi ‘amma’ sing, their art evoked visions of beauty and truth. Such art leaves me with a glow in my soul. It takes me out of myself, to a higher plane of existence. In these times of terrible violence and conflict, we need art that offers us islands of sanity in the chaos that surrounds us.</p>