)55 THE MICHIGAN ILge V
WneratoIAN DANCE
International Artist Teaches Classic Art
BY ERNEST THEODOSSIN teacher, singer-but she attributes
all of these accomplishments to
{NE night when Sumalini Rajam her childhood environment, the
was small child put to bed halls of one of India's greatest
In her parents' great home in homes.
India, she heard the sound of bells "What I have done is nothing
and music rising from a party in compared to what others in my
the huge family living room. family have accomplished," she
She climbed down the stairs says. It was a family that in-
and for a moment stood awed at eluded a mathematician father
the sight of a dancer swirling to who spoke 27 1anguages and chil-
the intricate rhythms and subtle dren who grew up to become some
psychological movements of na- of India's foremost poets, scien-
tive Indian dance. tists, philosophers, musicians, ac-
Then she ran shouting into the tors and leaders.
room: "I must dance, I must"It was that wonderful family,
dance.It wee tatonderf sominy
Her parents promptly sent theic education was something
Sumalini Rajam back to bed, but tht svent on all the time, that
they never stopped her from dancve me everything. Without
mn g. them I would never have been able
to do anything."
TODAY, a dignified lady with an
ADAM Rajam is living in Ann
alive face, slightly greying hair Arbor to be near her son,
and expressive dark eyes that light MADAM SUMALINI RAJAM rahladNajam, instnuctor in bac-
up when she speaks of her craft, world-famous artist. teriology
Madam Rajam is internationally
known as one of India's foremost dancing. It is something spiritual She teaches a few dance stu-
artists. -it is my whole life." dents here and gives lectures all
"I was born to dance " she says. Madam Rajam's life hass m-fca over the state. But, by the specs-
"To me the dance is everything. cluded much more than dancing, of her visa, her pofes-
Whenever I have lost something She has been a stage star motion sional activities are limited.
or someone, I have found it in picture actress, short story writer, "Wherever I go I follow the
laws of the country, no matter how
lhad they are," Madam Rajam
s id, sitting in the lounge of Mad-
eon Pound House and .aiting
the arrival of a pupil. "Re". rd-
>c ss of the difficulty, I have to be
honest."
What India owes most to Mad-
n Rajam is her pioneer work in
Sums and sta.e and her revival
iyof almost extinct dance tech-
niques
She studied all forms of danc-
ng, including Western dances. But
See DEVOTION, Page 15
LOVE AMONG THE GODS-Krishna (Marya Wester) is wooed
by Radha (Willias Ilimelhoch) with his magic flute in this
example of Northern Indian classical 'Hathaki' technique.
DAILY PHOTOS BY ESTHER GOUDSMIT
RIVER STANCE--William Him- RELIGIOUS STANCE - Marya
elhoch portrays the sacred Wester portrays a typical pose
Ganges flowing from the matted from the Manipuri dance, per-
locks of the God Shiva in the formed by the followers of Sri
'HLathaki' technique. Krishna.
PRAYER-The God Shiva (Lou Mekush) stands in meditation.
Mekush, local professional dancer who has been studying with
Madam Rajam, last season appeared in recital at the Dramatic
Arts Centre dance show.