Dr. Maha Gingrich
By Dr. Maha Gingrich
Guruji, Late Prof. C. V. Chandrasekhar, lovingly known as Chandrasekhar Sir by his disciples, passed away on June 19, 2024. He was an amazing Kalakshetra style Bharatha Natyam Guru, dancer, scholar, musician, composer, and choreographer. His talents were many and there is not enough space to describe him here. He retired in 1992 as the Head and Dean of the Faculty of Performing Arts of M.S. University, Baroda. He then continued to teach at the dance institution called Nrityashree, in Chennai, India.
I always say dancing is a family affair. Professor Chandrasekhar Sir and his wife Smt. Jaya Chandrasekhar were one of the well-known dancing couples of Bharatha Natyam in India. Especially during the 1970s and ’80s they were the top Bharatha Natyam dancers in India and travelled extensively all over the globe as he was invited by many to perform, teach and choreograph. He continued to perform on stage well into his seventies with perfection.
Chandrasekhar Sir received his M. Sc. Degree in Botany from Banaras Hindu University and received a postgraduate diploma in Bharatha Natyam. He continued his training at the internationally renowned Kalakshetra in Chennai, under the mentorship of Rukmini Devi Arundale, Karaikkal Saradambal, K.N. Dandaydhapani Pillai and others. He started his dancing career in 1947, when there were few male dancers. He also received training in classical music under teachers like Budulur Krishnamurthy Sastrigal and M.D. Ramanathan.
Chandrasekhar Sir received numerous accolades. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Bharatha Natyam in 1993, which is India’s National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, and received the Kalidas Samman in 2008. In 2011, he was honored with the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India. Among his notable choreographic productions are Kalidasa’s Ritu Samharam and Meghadootham, Aparajitha, Pancha Maha Bhootham, Arohanam, Bhoomija and Bhramarageeth.
I also remember his choreography to Gujarati poetry without compromising the dance style. That was my inspiration to choreograph Bharatha Natyam dances using many different languages and stories to connect with the audience without compromising the purity of the dance style.
There are a few things I did not know about Guruji. I found this information during my research (Credit: Ashish Mohan Khokar). “Born in Shimla on May 22, 1935, C.V. Chandrasekhar was exposed to Carnatic music at an early age. Though he was sent there to learn music from T.K. Ramaswamy Iyengar and Budalur Krishnamurthy Sastri, Rukmini Devi wanted him to train in Bharatanatyam as well. Even before his arangetram in 1950, he became an integral part of the famed Kalakshetra dance dramas. “The first role that I performed was that of a kattiakaran in ‘Kuttrala Kuravanji’,” he had recalled during an interview with The Hindu.” In one of my interviews, he maintained: “Changes in dance and tradition will come; what is important is to have a firm foundation. The grammar of classical dance is its soul. Just doing some new fangled stuff on stage means nothing and is hardly even remembered. The beauty and essence of Indian classical dance lies in its tradition.”
“Dance is my mission. I have been given awards that I value, such as the Padma Bhushan, Kalidas Samman and the Akademi Award. My students and wider family of dance love me and that’s my biggest reward,” he said.
I was not aware of the above details about Chandrasekhar Sir. I wish there was a way to incorporate the life stories of gurus into teaching. This way our students know other aspects of our lives that could inspire or at least allow students to know us better. Let me know your thoughts if you have any ideas.
So, on a personal note, he lived a full life (89 years), filled with achievements while sharing his immense dance knowledge with his disciples and he expected nothing less than perfection. He directly or indirectly mentored and inspired many dancers, including me. He inspired and paved the way for many other male Bharatha Natyam enthusiasts to pursue this beautiful dance form. He stood tall with confidence, his hair was always neatly combed, always had a scarf hanging on his shoulder, his face serious, his eyes almost smiling, and his presence was always known when he entered the classroom. I remember, there used to be a sense of respect and unspoken challenge to do your best when he was watching. He performed with perfection, making us all watch in awe. He made younger dancers feel ashamed of their performance due to Guruji’s perfection, amazing ability to tell you a story through Bhava or expressions, and consistent flow of positive energy throughout his performance, exuberating tremendous stamina.
As these generations of great gurus pass away, I hope the knowledge they have shared continues to be instilled in our next generation of students. This way their legacy continues, our traditions are practiced, our values are transferred, and our unparalleled beauty of these dances are admired by the new generation and diverse cultures.
C.V. Chandrasekhar Sir was born on May 22, 1935, and passed away on June 19, 2024. I seek his blessings as I continue to pursue teaching this beautiful dance form to all my students and my community.
For questions or comments, contact Dr. Maha Gingrich via email at gingrichmaha@gmail.com
