Artists felicitate one of their own

Bharati Shivaji, who authored two books on Mohiniattam and run a dance institution, got her recognition in the form of a Padmashri.

At the age of eight, she would spend hours perfecting her Bharatanatyam steps in Jamshedpur, where, her engineer father worked with Telco. “She was always passionate about dancing,” says Tanjore-based K. Sankari of her daughter Bharati Shivaji. Later when the family moved to Delhi, Bharati learnt Mohiniattam. “That’s because I was enchanted by the dance form after watching Indirani Rahman,” says Bharati who, after learning Bharatanatyam for 14 years, took to this style of dance. Today, at 50 plus, Bharati Shivaji, who had authored two books on Mohiniattam and opened a dance institution, has got her recognition in the form of a Padmashri. “It has come to me quite late but not late for Mohiniattam. This dance form anyway needs recognition.” Her mother adds: “It came a little too late, but it’s okay.”

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So it was only natural to celebrate the award in the company of fellow artistes and well wishers. An evening at the IIC only confirms Bharati’s popularity. Her hands were full of bouquets even as her guest list kept swelling. Almost all those present had something nice to say: Prerana Shrimali, Kathak exponent, who has known Bharati for nearly 19 years, said: “She was responsible for my first performance in Khajuraho. I learnt that it was Bharatiji who recommended my name. Such is her nature. She’s a healthy artist who promotes others.”

Manipuri dance maestro Singhajit Singh said: “Mohiniattam is a subdued style of dance. She is a person who does justice to the dance by not compromising on the speed.”

“For one, she is a wonderful person,” said his wife Charu. And, like Kathak exponent Shovana Traxl Narayan, if you have known Bharati for many decades, you would say: “As a dancer and as a person, she’s very graceful.”