Revivalist role of E.Krishna Iyer in classical Bharatha Natyam

By Subashini Pathmanathan

Bharatha Natyam evolved out of ancient temple dance Sathir. At the time, Sathir rested in the hands of devadasis who had acquired a bad reputation. At this stage, the reformists appeared on the scene and salvaged the art from extinction.

Two main reformists in the movement for the revival of Bhatha Natyam were E. Krishna Iyer and Rukmani Devi Arundale. Both were born in to Brahmin families and from non-traditional Nattuvanar families. Krisna Iyer was born at Bhrmadesam in Thirunelveli district on 9th August 1897.

Performer of classical Bharatha Natyam

He was a lawyer. During his period, the freedom movement was playing an important role in the lives of the ordinary people. Krishna Iyer had a very powerful voice. With his powerful solid voice, he sang beautiful patriotic songs mainly the songs of Subramaniya Bharathi.

In this way, he attracted and developed his own fame. He toured the whole of South India during the period of 1926. He learnt Sathir under Mellatur Nadesa Iyer, exponent in Bhagavatha Mela tradition and Maduranatakam Jagadambal, an exponent in Sathir tradition. Most of his selected roles were female roles, and he decked himself as a female and danced. Most of his shows were organized for the benefit programmes.

He was not only performed dance to propagate and promote the art form but also conducted numerous lectures, writings, and demonstrations. All his efforts opened the eyes of the public to some extent.

Beside this, he danced certain special dances such as kite dance, plate dance, and pot dance, for all these dances, he performed under a special name called cosmic dance. He throughout his life struggled and battled with the various anti Nautch movements and individuals.

He organized an All India Music Conference in 1926. He was also one of the founder members of Madras Music Academy , which was founded in 1928. He wanted to have a dance program of Tiruvalliputtur Kalyani's two daughters. During that time, it became a major issue between the two factions - anti Nautch movement and the supporters of pro Nautch movements.

At last, he arranged a dance program for those two sisters in 1933, and the program was well received by the public.

As a result, the music academy started approving the standing of dance and gave a respectable status to the art.

E. Krishna Iyer was not only a social and cultural reformist but also a nationalist. Those who opposed his earlier efforts started appreciating his efforts in cultural reforms.

The foremost among them was Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy who criticized Krishna Iyer for his efforts in reforming the dance; eventually she started appreciating his efforts and paid great tribute to his efforts.

He wrote two major works on dance and music. One was Bharatha Natyam and Other Dancers of India'. Another was 'Personalities in Present Day music'. Beside this, to honour his lasting work in Classical Bharatha Natyam, Suruti Foundation awards Krisna Iyer Medal for outstanding dancers annually.