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| Sunday, 8 December 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Remembering Rudolf Nureyev : Bolshoi ballet in Sri Lanka by Gwen Herat Many icons that die are laid to rest and with time, forgotten but few among them, never die or not allowed to die from our hearts. In our time, Elvis Presley and Rudolf Nureyev are 'resurrected' from time to time by those in whose hearts indelible marks are left. It is an obsession with their own contemporaries as well as with the public whose hearts they have touched. For Rudolf Nureyev, he left behind his signature intensity that no one could match or equal. He left it on Bolshoi and Kirov. He left it with the Royal ballet and with the rest of the world's ballet.
The Bolshoi that will be paying a tribute to an icon of their country in our country, had its own share of humble beginnings. Tracing down the centuries, the Academic Theatre for Opera and Ballet founded in the then USSR in 1776 was the beginning of the Bolshoi Ballet of today. It underwent many structural reforms to become the most prestigious among the world of ballet along with the Kirov and Royal Ballets of London. Any student who crosses their floors is considered a wealth of talent no matter which era she or he emerged from. When the Petrovsky Theatre that was establish in 1780 was burnt down, it became the site for the present Bolshoi. Adam Gluzkowski was the first choreographer to emerge in 1825 from the newly established New Bolshoi Petrovsky Theatre. This became the basis for the National Ballet Movements with Yekaterina Sankovaskya as the principal dancer in 1850. Thus was the beginning of the greatest of ballets, the world came to passionately embrace, inspired by the virtuosity and magnitude of all the great Russian dancers and choreographers that followed over the centuries to date. Russia became the cradle of classical ballet. Spectacular Tchaikvosky's spectacular SWAN LAKE ballet that received a great impetus under Gorsky who had earlier choreographed many ballet productions, became the ultimate inspiration for full length ballets. SWAN LAKE had its premiere in 1877. Gorsky whose choreography spanned from 1898 to 1924 became the master to reform ballet techniques as found in the Bolshoi today. Bolshoi along with Kirov became the Mecca for classical ballet which upholds the old traditions and the strict syllabus wrought therein. A dancer can perform in Russia, another in South Africa while still another in Australia at the same time out they all will be dancing the same steps, movements and technique as found in the syllabus of yore. That is the magnitude of clean, perfect classical ballet. Bolshoi continued unscathed with the shackles of time and even survived the famous October Revolution to produce icon after icon who would influence the world of their time with spectacular dancing which even the West could not resist following up with. They introduced many into their repertory perhaps unaware of the advent and entry of Rudolf Nureyev who stormed into their midst. Bolshoi is poised to perform in Sri lanka to enable the audience to taste the artistry they more often than not see on tapes and films. They will travel all the way from Moscow to pay tribute to the memory of Russia's most illustrious son of the 20th century on his 10th death anniversary which falls in January 2003. Rudolf Nureyev Ballet was his art, intangible, mysterious and which he ultimately made precious and passionate beyond any price. Nureyev was a dreamer and would dream of things that seemed impossible to others. He made people dream of him. He even made the impossible happen while at Royal Baooet. With his electrifying looks the young ballerinas were crazy for his affections while with ardour, he was in love with the young male dancers. He had no inhibition about what he wanted when he openly flouted the laws of morality when he lived with Erik Bruhn. It is a known fact that Nureyev never fell in love with a woman. The young ballerinas never stopped short and even crossed the ocean just to share one glorious moment on stage with him. They would climb the mountains and reach for the stars for their icon. But Nureyev was different, unpredictable and unseeable. He would look up at the clear blue skies to spread out his imagination because no stage was big enough for his wonderful repertory. He could leap like a panther, stomp like an elephant and soar like a sea gull. The ultimate inspiration for the ballet world had taught every one to fly high. He had courage beyond all expectations and this enigma of our time dared to place the male dancer centre-stage and give equal prominence to him that was enjoyed only by the prima ballerina. He broke centuries old traditions to do it. Nureyev died ten years ago and though he was from Kirov, the Bolshoi is revering him with a memoriam to their Master who remains immortal. He was born on 27 March 1938 and died on 7 January 1993. He defected from Russia and sought political asylum at La Bourger on 17 June 1961 during a visit to Paris. This turn of events was the foundation for Nureyev's brilliant career. A dancer of dazzling virtuosity and controlled expressiveness, his athletism and electrifying stage personality won the hearts of all who saw him dance. He danced in all the standard works as well as in modern repertory. Choreographers were clamouring to create roles for him as he left a trailing blaze on stage each time he danced. Ashton created Margarite and Armond only for him and Margot Fonteyn in 1963. He was known for his musicality which made him later in life to wield the baton for a short spell. Before he died, he was awarded the highest honour given to an artist in France when he was awarded the Commander of Arts and Letters. He was buried at the graveyard of Saint-Genevive-de-Bois where the Russian cemetery is located in Paris. Nureyev was buried dressed like Valentina in evening clothes and his ballet shoes cast down with some white lilies thrown over them to the strains of Adam's music from the last Act of GISELLE. His exit was also spectacular as was his entrance and as long as ballet lives, so does Nureyev. |
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