I want to be a bridge between the traditionalist and the contemporary: Radhika Shurajit

"I am a dreamer," says Kalaimamani Radhika Shurajit during an interaction with us. With Margazhi coming to an end, we ask the Bharatanatyam exponent about the long journey of hers which saw her grace countless stages through her exceptional performances, become a guru and even choreograph film songs. Excerpts from the conversation:

What does Margazhi mean to you?
For me, Margazhi is magic. In all the months, it's the most beautiful and very divine. Chennai hosts the biggest music and dance festival in the world during the month. So, to put on a show during Margazhi is special.
What do you think drives artistes like yourself to excel in your field?
What drives an artiste to excel is their own inner self. I can't do a dance show to please others alone. I must have the fire to do it; only then can I stay relevant. I'm an idealist. I like to work hard. I believe there has to be a personal touch to your work. I also critique my work and change things from the rasikas' point of view.

Who instilled this discipline in you? Your mother or your gurus?
My mom. My gurus wanted me to excel in whatever I did, but it was my mother who kept pushing my boundaries. I was feeling very low when criticisms were aimed at me for deciding to enter cinema. It was my mother who stood by me then, and she was always with me. She once told me, 'Either be a legend or be different.' That made me think differently.

What inspires you to create?
Music. A creative idea can come to you at any moment. The way I work is that my entire choreography is done on paper before it is executed. Gone are the days when my teachers, the Dhananjayans, used to try new forms as immediately as they came up with an idea, since we were available to them 24X7. These days, we are not privileged like them. My students have so many commitments!

Do you believe the current generation has it hard when it comes to learning the classical arts?
If they do not come from money, yes. To learn classical dance today is very expensive. To this day, only those who can afford the expenses can perform at sabhas. It costs between INR 60,000-1 lakh per performance. How many can afford it? My television shows, Thaka Thimi Tha and Tharikida Thom, have been platforms for upcoming artistes to highlight them.

What is it that you are working towards even after becoming a sexagenarian?
I am always working towards taking the classical arts to the common man. All my productions are created like that. I believe classical arts should not be like displays at the museum. I want to be a bridge between the traditionalist and the contemporary. Any art, be it abstract or traditional, has to reach people. Otherwise, dance being a visual art will not grow. Art is like a flowing river and it has to evolve.

Some might say that it will lead to oversimplification of the classical art...
Personally, I don't believe in art that doesn't communicate. Art has to be a two-way process. The audience has to enjoy the performance and you should enjoy performing as well. Art is not awards-oriented or performance-oriented. It should help one evolve to a higher spiritual zone. I've evolved too. Art has to make one a better person. That is my focus.
You had a brief but very successful stint in cinema...
Since I wanted to take dance to the masses, I entered into the celluloid world. The camera always fascinated me, and I even wanted to do film direction. While my parents opposed it, the magic of cinema was etched in my mind. After becoming an established Bharatanatyam dancer, I went into films. I started with the song Nila Kaaigirathu (Indira), a chance I got when I visited AR Rahman's studio with Suhasini Maniratnam to listen to the unmixed track of the song rendered by Harini. Rahman played the track, we listened to it, and he asked me if I liked it. When I said yes, he responded with, "Why don't you choreograph it?" It was at that juncture, in Rahman's studio, that I decided to film songs, but only those that appeal to my ethics. Then came Mayil Pola Ponnu Onnu (Bharathi), Paattu Solli Paada Solli (Azhagi), Yedho Onnu & Amma Sonna Aariraaro (Solla Marandha Kadhai), Indha Nimidam (Pallikoodam) and Ennai Enna Seithai (Ivan) and more. Indha NImidam, in particular, was very challenging, for I had to undo my Bharatam to do the song! My last song was Thuli Thuliyay (Ramanujan). While people were sceptical of the move, I wanted to take proper Bharatanatyam to cinema and wanted to explore where it would fit in that world.

What would you like to be remembered for?
As a good human, someone who was kind and nice to people. There is no point in being a good artiste and a nasty person. You will be admired only for your performances, not for who you are.

Quick bites...One artiste you follow a lot: Padma Subrahmanyam. I've caught up with all her shows. I admire her a lot.
Regrets in life: None. I've done all that I've wanted to do.
Fashion: I don't wear makeup; don't like it. Flowers are my fashion accessory. I love saris, but my workwear is churidar.
Best audiences you've seen: Chennai, Delhi, Iraq, and Baku.
Fitness: Dancing was my fitness regimen. Now, because I am a diabetic, I walk daily.
Favourite sabha caterer: Arusuvai Arasu.
Favourite dishes: I am a sweet tooth. I love cakes and ice creams.

A secret that you haven't revealed to anyone...
I believe a lot in luck. I need to wear mallipoo before a programme. I want idols at my home to be set in a particular way. I sleep with my head pointed in a particular direction. I believe my granddaughter is my lucky charm. They have nothing to do with the actual actions in life, but I believe in them.