Gifted with a slim frame, expressive eyes and a pretty and sensitive face, Jothi Raghavan has, in abundance, what it takes to be an accomplished dancer. As we talk, she comes out as an artiste who has worked hard and polished her art form to a degree that seems to be an integral part of her life. “Bharatha Natyam is my life and breath.” she says with a seriousness that speaks of her dedication and commitment.

Jothi Raghavan, when we meet, admits to being dazed at the moment as I ask her what emotions are going through her mind. Dressed in a gorgeous gray and black ethnic silk sari, her face is a mixture of anticipation, anxiety and determination. She is at the moment promoting her upcoming Arts and Dance festival ‘Arpana’, that is a culmination and celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Nrityanjali, the dance school that she established in 1987. The three day festival in July is designed to reach out to a wide audience, generate greater awareness, and involve the youth. It allows them to participate and interact in lectures and demonstrations by renowned artists in the field. Jothi urged me to invite all to come and participate. “It is going to be a great show; I hope lot of people come for it. Do spread the word”.

Jothi Raghavan was initiated into this dance form through her mother, Vimala Ramanujam, and later trained under her guru ,the late Sri S.K Rajarathnam. “I am her dream come true,” says Jothi. "My mother, after completing her arangetram under Sri Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai trained under Sri. S. K. Rajarathnam also. Later, her sister also learnt the art and the trio performed in India and all over the world, before Jothi moved to the US after her marriage to Raghavan and Nrityanjali was born. She smiles and says that Nrityanjali and Mythili, her daughter were born almost at the same time. Jothi also has a son Vijay.

Now after 25 years, Nrityanjali has grown in stature and the students have carved a niche for themselves in the field of dance. Jothi herself has established herself as a dancer of repute and most of her students take part in her professional productions. She is also a choreographer and has used ideas and themes in dance through the creative process. Kanya, one of the productions to be staged for Arpana and sponsored by Aasra is one such example. Jothi is immediately transformed when I mention Kanya . The words just flow out of her passionately “The Kanya that I have conceived, is everybody, all of us” she says, “You could be any of the woman depicted in it depending on the mood”. “These woman are timeless”, Draupadi, Sita all these are woman who were strong and had qualities that made them what they are. I am proud to present all these women. I am trying to present woman as a metaphor who can play any role with ease. What I am trying to say is, look at me for what I am,do not put in stereotypical roles. I am like any other human being,made of flesh,blood and pitfalls”.

Sristhi, the final offering of the festival is a highly philosophical production and is a pure dance which depicts and explores the Vedic scriptures, concept of creation, the five senses,the elements and nature. Arpana also introduces some innovative concepts to the traditional form of Bharathanatyam. “I don’t believe in fusion for the sake of fusion. But if it fits in a way, I like to use it. I like modern dance because the body is used so well in creative movements, so I try to incorporate it in my dance as in Sristi,says Jothi.

The festival has various artists for demonstrating this unique movements. Padmini Ravi,a well known artist has showcased a CD that has Yoga and Bharathanatyam in it. The Dhananjayans will be performing,Natraj the music group, and so will two male dancers from India who will demonstrate the martial arts of Kalari movements and body work. Pilate’s is another new concept. “If you are specialized in this exercise, the strong abs and abdominal force helps you to balance and maintain a good posture”says Jothi

Ganesha is a piece that is solely performed by all the students in the Academy. Every two years Jothi organizes a major event in which the children get a chance to participate. “Nrityanjali wants to pay Vandanam to all these artists that have supported the school, says Jothi. “The event will also honor and recognize artists without whom they would have been no Nrityanjanli”.

I get an opportunity to see the rehearsal of the Banyan tree where the Choreographer and Dancer Lakshmi Vishwanathan, from Chennai, India is preparing the dancers for the event. I talk to her briefly on the show and she admits that she is now working with a new set of students although Banyan tree has been staged before. I watch fascinated as two male dancers sculpt out the three female figures through artistic movements of their hands and bodies. Lakshmi tells me that this dance is the journey through the ages of the history of Bharatha Natyam from ancient times to the modern day. It seems a fascinating piece from the glimpses of the short preview.

An outdoor enthusiast, Jothi Raghavan likes to hike and watch movies and admits a liking to music of all kinds. She believes that spirituality and dance cannot be two separate entities because they are interlinked so closely. “If someone says, I will stay away from spirituality and only present my art, I think it will be totally empty. It comes from within you”. As a final shot she offers this advice to all aspiring dancers “Work hard and stay focused on what to do”

Arpana the three day festival will be held at the MIT Kresge Auditorium on July 5,6 and 7,. For more details go to www.indianperformingarts.org.

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