B. Bhanumathi — An endearing guru

B. Bhanumathi’s democratic approach to learning helped her students gain insight and confidence

It was a warm summer morning in Bengaluru. I took the metro from Malleshwaram to Jayanagar and arrived at Nrityakalamandiram, the dance school established by the renowned B. Bhanumathi. I straightened the pleats of my practice sari and held my breath as I slowly opened the squeaky wooden door. I saw a group of children learning dance steps in a far corner of the spacious room. Some girls in salwar-kameez were laughing and helping each other with stretches. Another cohort was busy memorising sollukattus sitting on the the red mosaic floor. If I had to describe the mood in that room, it would be one of joy of learning and the warmth of the guru. The veteran dancer-guru passed away on May 24.