Sithara Balakrishnan Showcases Mohiniyattam at Nishagandhi Dance Festival
Renowned dancer and actor Sithara Balakrishnan recently delivered a captivating Mohiniyattam performance at the prestigious Nishagandhi Dance Festival. Sithara, celebrated for her role as Neeli in the stage adaptation of the classic Malayalam work Neelakuyil, offered exclusive insights into her artistic journey and the profound themes embedded in her dance.
Artistic Expression of Women's Struggles Through Dance
In a detailed conversation, Sithara revealed that her performance was meticulously crafted to reflect the enduring struggles faced by women across society. "My performance featured the struggles faced by women," she emphasized, underscoring the thematic depth of her presentation.
Her repertoire comprised three distinct items, all executed in the Sopanam style of Mohiniyattam. This style draws inspiration from the legendary Kavalam Narayana Panicker, with the choreography masterfully handled by Kanak Rele, a renowned exponent of this format. Sithara intentionally selected pieces from her guru's collection to promote both the Sopanam style and Kanak Rele's innovative body-kinesthetic approach to dance.
The third piece, based on Kubja and inspired by a poem by Sitakant Mahapatra—translated into Malayalam by Kavalam—held particular significance. "I chose this piece because it represents Indian women," Sithara explained. She elaborated that Kubja's hunch transcends mere physicality, symbolizing the burdens imposed on women by men and societal structures.
"Even today, we witness attacks and a lack of justice for women—issues that have persisted since time immemorial. Many women may not even recognize their own pain or stress, which could exist within our own families. Numerous individuals carry a 'hunch' of responsibilities and silent struggles," she poignantly noted.
Theatre Demands Intense Concentration and Immersion
Reflecting on her theatrical venture, Sithara described her involvement in Neelakuyil as a serendipitous occurrence. Her acting debut dates back to 1995–96 with CV Premkumar's television serial Avasthantharam on Doordarshan. Nearly 25 years later, Premkumar invited her to join the play, marking her first foray into stage acting.
This experience proved invaluable for her development as a dancer. "Theatre requires more concentration," she asserted, highlighting the challenges of live performances involving dialogues, voice modulation, and continuous acting. A month-long study camp was instrumental, requiring actors to memorize dialogues thoroughly without prompts.
To portray Neeli—an innocent character betrayed in the narrative—Sithara immersed herself completely. "I had to play Neeli with everything in me. As the play progressed without pauses, and since I delivered all the dialogues myself, I slowly became her," she shared, illustrating her deep connection to the role.
However, balancing theatre with her primary passion remains a challenge. As a dedicated dancer with over four decades of experience, continuous play participation is not feasible. Neelakuyil has been staged twice, tailored for film-literary platforms rather than conventional stages, allowing for a less rushed schedule.
Sithara Balakrishnan's artistic endeavors continue to bridge traditional dance with contemporary themes, offering a powerful voice on women's issues through both performance and theatre.
