Nirmala turned to the Indian classical dance form initially as a physical activity to get rid of the side effects of chikungunya infection.Age is just a number for 60-year-old Nirmala James as she is all set for her debut performance of Bharatnatyam. Nirmala, a recipient of Kerala state government’s award for the best teacher, will give a solo Bharatnatyam recital on May 28 at the Vyloppili Samskriti Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram at 4 pm.
Nirmala turned to the Indian classical dance form initially as a physical activity to get rid of the side effects of chikungunya infection. The doctors had prescribed work out and exercise as a remedy for extreme joint pain which is one of the most significant symptoms of the disease. Though Nirmala enrolled at a Bharatnatyam class to get herself some physical activity, soon she became passionate about the art form.
Aswathy, Nirmala teacher’s Bharatnatyam trainer at Chilambu dance school at Pothencode, vouches that the latter has been a wonderful student who took her classes seriously. Nirmala’s debut performance will be an amazing culmination of two-and-a-half years of her dedicated training. She would be performing 'alarippu' and 'pushpanjali' during her first show. Besides Bharatnatyam, the retired teacher is also trained in musical instruments like keyboard and violin.
This former teacher, who also has a flair for painting, writing and sculpting, is brimming with energy and enthusiasm that would give any young girl a run for her money.
