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![]() There was a time when a lovely figure was described as a Paavai Vilakku, a graceful woman with the right curves where it mattered. Another expression was Yaanai Dantha Kai, arms like a smooth ivory tusk. Today being curvy like the Ajanta painting is not considered a compliment. Thank the combination of media, cinema, health and fitness centres and huge auditoriums. Look at the top four of our Bharatanatyam stars - my acronym taken from the world of fashion. R - A - M - P. Rama Vaidyanathan, Alarmel Valli, Malavika Sarukkai and Priyadarshini Govind. Look at their more than slender figures - specially Priya and Rama. Tall and very skinny, these superstar dancers work out daily in variety of ways, gym, running, weight training, yoga and who knows what else. Two of the dancers are in their forties and the other two in their early fifties. And what slim bodies! Fitness for dance is not a chance happening any more. I remember my mother telling me how Vyjayantimala used to eat four Threptin biscuits instead of a meal and then walk around her dining table 25 times to remain slim and fit. This was to remind me to hold off that cheese sandwich I was fond of, and still am! To reflect this changed environment that is not forgiving of age and the inevitable curves and layers that come with time, we begin a new column titled Not just anyBODY - a tribute to the dancing body. As Martha Graham once said, "Dancers are athletes of the soul." The body is all we have to express, expose and inscribe all our thoughts, dreams and anxieties for the world to see and tear down or applaud. I hope you enjoy this column. - Anita R Ratnam, Founding Editor 2020 ![]() The Bharathanatomy Series: Balance - Postural Control - Sneha Rajagopalan e-mail: sneha.rajagopalan@hotmail.com 2019 ![]() The Bharathanatomy Series: Introduction to Muscles - Sneha Rajagopalan e-mail: sneha.rajagopalan@hotmail.com ![]() The Bharathanatomy Series: Anatomical Movements and Directions - Sneha Rajagopalan e-mail: sneha.rajagopalan@hotmail.com ![]() With yoga guru Sumi Sekaran and gourmand Uma Pushpanathan 2017 ![]() Health Recipes 14: Sweet Potato Soup - Uma Pushpanathan ![]() Delicious snack packs that do your waistline justice - Sathya Nagaraj e-mail: sathy63@yahoo.com ![]() The Cheese Conundrum - To Eat or Not - Namrata Sundaresan e-mail: lets@eatmorecheese.in ![]() Health Recipes 13: Rendang Paneer - Uma Pushpanathan ![]() Effects of chronic stress on performance - Ishika Sachdev e-mail: ishikasachdev@thebeautyreel.com ![]() Health Recipes 12: Bergedel Jagung - Uma Pushpanathan ![]() Health Recipes 11: Sake Steamed Chicken - Uma Pushpanathan ![]() LCHF (Low Carb High Fat) lunches: Desi style - Sathya Nagaraj e-mail: sathy63@yahoo.com ![]() Poison-free nourishment - Nimmi Ittycheria John e-mail: nimmiearth@gmail.com ![]() Health Recipes 10: Roasted Tomato and Capsicum Soup - Uma Pushpanathan ![]() Health Recipes 9: Mango Kerabu - Uma Pushpanathan 2016 ![]() Yoga and dance - Srimathy Gopalakrishnan e-mail: ashtangavinyasayoga@yahoo.com ![]() Health Recipes 8: Chicken and Thai basil stir fry - Uma Pushpanathan ![]() Dancing is NOT aerobic exercise! - Dr. Madhu Thottappilli e-mail: ergoin@gmail.com ![]() Health Recipes 7: Crispy Fish with a Citrus Dressing - Uma Pushpanathan ![]() Health Recipes 6: Miso Soup - Uma Pushpanathan ![]() Balance of life - the goldilocks effect - Jayashree Gopal e-mail: goplajayashree@yahoo.com ![]() From diets to lifestyle changes: Being in the driver’s seat - Sathya Nagaraj e-mail: sathy63@yahoo.com ![]() How good is your sleep performance? - Dr. N. Ramakrishnan ![]() Health Recipes 5: Thai Green Curry - Uma Pushpanathan ![]() Strength training for dancers - Jyotsna John e-mail: john.jyotsna@gmail.com ![]() Health Recipes 4: Quinoa stir fry wrap - Uma Pushpanathan ![]() Taking responsibility, staying accountable - Dr. Sheela Nambiar e-mail: sheela.nambiar@gmail.com ![]() Health Recipes 3 - URAP SAYUR - Uma Pushpanathan ![]() Health Recipes 2 - Vegetable Salad with Channa - Uma Pushpanathan ![]() Health Recipes Grilled Aubergines with Couscous Veggies, Chicken and Prawn in Celery Soup - Uma Pushpanathan ![]() Fitness for dancers - Ranee Kumar e-mail: Ranee@journalist.com 2013 ![]() - Masoom Parmar e-mail: masoom@nritarutya.com ![]() - Veena Basavarajaiah, Bangalore e-mail: veenabasavarajaiah@gmail.com 2012 ![]() - Veena Basavarajaiah, Bangalore e-mail: veenabasavarajaiah@gmail.com 2011 ![]() - Veena Basavarajaiah, Bangalore e-mail: veenabasavarajaiah@gmail.com ![]() - Vishwa Kiran, Bangalore e-mail: info@nritarutya.com ![]() - Veena Basavarajaiah, Bangalore e-mail: veenabasavarajaiah@gmail.com ![]() - Veena Basavarajaiah, Bangalore e-mail: veenabasavarajaiah@gmail.com - Responses ![]() - Veena Basavarajaiah, Bangalore e-mail: veenabasavarajaiah@gmail.com - Response ![]() To know what we are made of... - Veena Basavarajaiah, Bangalore e-mail: veenabasavarajaiah@gmail.com 2010 ![]() - Veena Basavarajaiah, Bangalore e-mail: veenabasavarajaiah@gmail.com ![]() - Veena Basavarajaiah, Bangalore e-mail: veenabasavarajaiah@gmail.com ![]() - Veena Basavarajaiah, Bangalore e-mail: veenabasavarajaiah@gmail.com ![]() - Veena Basavarajaiah, Bangalore e-mail: veenabasavarajaiah@gmail.com ![]() - Veena Basavarajaiah, Bangalore e-mail: veenabasavarajaiah@gmail.com 2009 ![]() - Rama Vaidyanathan, New Delhi e-mail: vaidyanathan.rama@gmail.com ![]() - Rama Vaidyanathan, New Delhi e-mail: vaidyanathan.rama@gmail.com ![]() - Rama Vaidyanathan, New Delhi e-mail: vaidyanathan.rama@gmail.com ![]() - Rama Vaidyanathan, New Delhi e-mail: vaidyanathan.rama@gmail.com - Responses ![]() |