Earth & Fire
Some years ago, in another incarnation, I wrote of Anandavalli that she was: "One of Australia's cultural treasures." Since then Australia's most famous Indian classical dancer retired from the stage and, of course, is now busier than ever because - as she confesses - "I retired because I couldn't cope with being artistic director and a dancer."
So now she is merely artistic director and choreographer and eminence grise (well, not very grise - she's too vivid for grise) and mentor to the latest crop of dancers.
"They are very ambitious and well trained," says Valli. "Some of them have been with me for 15 or 17 years, they are extremely good. this generation has added bite. I think they grew up wanting to do better in a different way. The earlier generation danced for the love of dance."
Anandavalli's Lingalayam Company is an institution that survives partly on its merit and the talents of the company dancers and partly because of its founder's dedication and determination.
"I have 12 in the company and 80 to 100 in the school," says Valli of her creation. "And I am very proud to say that the 12 dancers are all Aussie kids. We have Miss White, of course, and that's Jenny and she really is Miss White, but the rest are of Indian and Sri Lankan descent but are all Australians."
This weekend, at Parramatta Riverside they bring to the stage of the big theatre a production titled Earth & Fire, choreographed and directed by Anandavalli. It depicts the two great heroines of the Indian epics, Ramayana and Mahabharatha - Sita, daughter of the earth and Draupadi, daughter of fire.
"Shiva grants a boon to Sita," says Valli, "But of course, there is always a catch!>"
The performance features ten female dancers and special guest male dancer, Seran. These days the orchestra features the indefatigable Anandavalli who took the award of an Australia Council fellowship to study music, percussion and orchestration.
"You haven't seen me with the orchestra, have you?" she asks. "I'm pretty damn good, if I say so myself!"
Anandavalli is also very proud of the musicians - all Australians of Indian descent. "It's true," she says. "Of course, they all have other jobs because in this country they cannot make a living by their music. The percussionist is a doctor and the tabla player is in the army reserve. We haven't lost him to duty yet, thank goodness, except when we were appearing in Canberra. They are wonderful."
Wonderful too is the opportunity to see the company that astonishes audiences overseas - and which will be travelling next year if Anandavalli's plans come to fruition.
"We have a five year plan for Lingalayam because we need to get out internationally. It's important for the dancers and important for Australia too."
Earth & Fire, Riverside Theatre, Parramatta, June 29 and 30; ph: 02 8839 3399 or www.riversideparramatta.com.au
