Thus Usha Narayan is recognized as an originator of one more classical dance form of India and hence an acknowledged name amongst the originators of other classical dance forms of India. She has been featured in the Indian Book of Records 1991 amongst originators of the seven other classical dance forms of India such as Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathak, Kathakali, Manipuri, and Mohiniattam.
Also the Sangeeth Natak Akademi ‘ award recipient’ the well-known senior dance critic P. Subramanian called affectionately Subbudu has recognized Usha as an originator of one more classical dance form of India in the leading National Daily Statesmen comparing her work to the adaptation of Manipuri to the stage by its originators in the article ‘Discovery of a dance form’.
Her press reviews speak volumes of numerous showcased performances, acclaiming her contribution of a new dance form ‘Sringa Nrittyam’ to the field of Indian classical dance besides excelling in Bharathanatyam as a top grade national television ‘classical dance’ performer. Usha has been awarded two titles, Deivika Natya mani and Sri Nrittya choodamani by the institutions of the two famous philosophers Shankara and Ramanuja. Besides, National senior research fellowship award 2000, awarded by the prime Government body, ‘The Indian Central Department of Culture’, a state Sahithya Kala Parishad award, Kala Rasnjani award, are a few to name. She has always been creative away from the beaten track acknowledged thus in titles by Saragrahi in the Deccan Herald for her original contribution; and by as striving towards excellence ‘as her motto’ – Hindustan Times. Usha’s high degree of perfection and discipline along with a discerning eye for detail and professionalism is evident in her own performances & productions and while nurturing students into rare dance form ‘Sringa Nrittyam’ & rare items in Bharatnatyam.
To understand her exceptional, extraordinary ability in the field of dance as a developer of a classical dance tradition and it’s adaptation, I would like, once again, to quote the words of Farley P Richmond. “Genres that are primarily classical in influence are those that follow well-articulated aesthetic principles, most often based on the classical texts of dramaturgy. Classical traditions depend on a high degree of audience knowledge and expertise, so that the elaborations, refinements and embellishments presented in performance can be appreciated…Those who control the development of tradition, and thus the degree of adaptation and change that is permissible, are usually the senior masters of the tradition and the principal patrons.” (Pg307) Farley P Richmond et al
After the discovery, of ‘Arrayar Sevai’ temple dance Usha evolved Sringa Nrittyam through systematic persistent work under the guidance of the late Vedic scholar Vagamrithavarshi Velukkudi Varadaacharya Swami besides her Acharyan Mudaliandaan & Arrayars initiation. In just the last 30 years of it’s evolution ‘Arrayar Sevai’ got adapted, researched, re-created, performed (with original choreography) and finally presented as productions with her students to raise funds for the Livermore temple. It got renamed as technically & historically valid ‘Sringa Nrittyam’ after further research into the origin of that genre.
It was tough for her to guide or find a 'Nattuvanar' to conduct her team of musicians for her adapted choreography as her Bharatanatyam stalwart Guru's such as Guru Nana kasar, Guru Kittappa pillai or Swarna saraswathi had not seen Arrayar sevai nor had any idea of the context or material of her text . So it was a hearbreaking challenging difficult lonely path when she decided to recreate Arrayar sevai on stage as Sringa Nrittyam. In compensation the raving reviews and public patronage requesting for her performance on stage & at Divya sthalas inside the Garbhagraha was encouraging. Her unique life time achievement of the discovery and revival of an ancient unknown temple dance as the discoverer of Arrayarsevai and thus the originator of one more classical heritage of India has got her the judges recent Life time achievement award at the very popular Youth Utsav festival Sanfrancisco.
Dehee performing arts being the first institution for the dissemination of this dance form is looking forward to more such awards and patrons for nurturing the recreation of an ancient tradition afresh & the preservation of a rare dance form .
Quote- “ one cannot preserve tradition , one can only recreate it afresh.”-Maulana Azad.
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