BANGALORE: Ever heard of improvising acting skills using dance moves? 'Devarattam', a traditional folk dance form, helps in achieving the same. Even though it has lost its importance in the recent years, its value is still preserved in certain areas of Tamil Nadu. This dance form that was originated from Kambalath Nayakar community in Bellary district of Karnataka, has evolved through times and has undergone innovations as made by artists. Recently, a two-day workshop, organised by Rafiki Group, was conducted where Nellaimanikandan, a stage performer and dance instructor, brought to Bangalore this dance form to regain its popularity. The main aim of the workshop was to mould dance and theatre lovers into being better actors on stage. It helped the ten people who were present there to improvise on their skills as an actor with the help of the movements in the dance. Body language, head posture, reflex action and rhythmic body movement according to dialogue rendering was taught to them. This dance form that uses a combination of martial art and graceful dance moves, helped the participants learn on how to attain a perfect body balance. Nellaimanikandan who strongly believes in "training the body in order to train the mind" has been dancing from childhood. Growing up in the Nayakar community, he has seen and learnt the evolving trends that has prevented Devarattam to flourish in India. He said, "The knowledge about traditional dance forms has not been passed on to the new generation which is why they have chosen to adopt western culture. This is exactly the reason why I am taking this workshop. I want to instill in people the importance of this dance so that in future, if not performers, they would make an interested audience when the dance is being performed." His source of inspiration comes from his clan where he learnt Devarattam from the basics to a point where he could self improvise. "Kumara Raman, Kannan Kumar and Subha Subhaiyya, who actually were brothers, were my guides. Even though there were restrictions before, they were keen on going out of the community in order to pass on the knowledge about this wonderful dance form and I am now going to do the same," he said. He has worked with mentally challenged children and has helped them cope up by making them learn this dance form. He believed that it had powers of therapy and actually helped them react to situations that they couldn't earlier. "After learning this dance they reacted to my voice, my instruction and swayed according to the rhythm. It is a big improvement factor as it is all in the mind," he said. "Value for traditional dance forms has somewhat been lost in the past few years. But with such workshops, training for students in such art forms in schools and colleges and devoting oneself in providing useful information about an art to the next generation will help in regaining its importance," he added.He also believes that a good actor should take up this dance form as it not only helps the person become accurate, but also maintains the body structure. Artists from different fields are amazed by this dance form which is actually a rendition to God. With the use of props, unexpected and interesting dance moves and music from the instrument 'Urumi', the workshop was a thrilling experience to all those who participated.
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