George S Paul

Vasundhara - Odyssey of a Dancer George S Paul

Odyssey of a Dancer captivates the reader right from the first page as it portrays the insurmountable barriers Vasundhara had to cross during the spirited journey to become a world-renowned Bharatanatyam artiste. Even as the nuances of the dance form are dealt with in depth, the book strives to underscore that tradition is not static. The insatiable urge for improvisations to enhance the aesthetic appeal of Bharatanatyam by incorporating elements of Yoga, the martial arts of Tang-Ta and Kalarippayattu and the sacrifices she had to make in this endeavour, makes the book a class of its own. As for Yoga, her exploits in ferreting out the intrinsic components and further correlating them to the fundamental parameters of Bharatanatyam are path-breaking. On the academic front, they provide enough grist to the research-mill that is unprecedentedly active at present in Indian classical dances.

Vasundhara's artistry is a testimony of the interdisciplinary approach to Bharatanatyam, as vouched by critics across the globe. The book further delves deep into the definition of a Guru and his/her role in moulding and influencing the disciples to get the best out of them in every walk of life - something all GenNext teachers must take note of.