Balasaraswati : her art and life /

Knight's respectful, informative biography of renowned Bharatanatyam artist Balasaraswati is a must read for anyone interested in India's performing arts, dance in general, and the opening of the world to non-Western arts. An independent scholar and musician, Knight was married to Balasaraswati's daughter, Lakshmi (now deceased), and he performed with Balasaraswati and members of the family. Thus, he writes with deep knowledge of Carnatic music and dance, and through the eyes of a participant. The chronology he provides illuminates the evolution of the music, from the colonial impact on it to present times. Balasaraswati's understanding of tradition as a basis for creative art was a corrective to those who saw modernity as tradition's opposite. Knight reveals Balasaraswati's dedication to her community's inherited arts, in the face of dramatically changing contexts and social pressures. He also elaborates on her compelling thoughts on abhinaya, i.e., expressing emotions and feelings through facial and body language. The patrons who supported Balasaraswati's art, the artists she admired and worked with, the impact on her art of her mother and grandmother and teachers--all are chronicled here as a record of an era now past. Balasaraswati remains a model for current ways of teaching, affirming, and expanding the art of Bharatanatyam. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers. J. L. Erdman Columbia College Chicago

Dancer and musician T. Balasaraswati (1918-84) earned international acclaim for her performances of bharata natyam, a complex art form integrating dance, music, and stylized dramatic techniques that was passed down through generations of select groups of families in the southern region of India. A musician, independent scholar, and Balasaraswati's son-in-law, Knight presents the intricate details of her art as well as of the cultural and historical influences of the matrilineal tradition from which it grew. Balasaraswati performed, taught, and staunchly advocated this traditional hereditary version of the art form, defining it for audiences as well as for future generations-especially after cultural shifts and outside influences threatened to dilute it. Knight discusses Balasaraswati's personal and professional life from a firsthand perspective while offering a fine study of a respected artistic tradition. A glossary and a collection of photographs nicely complement the text. Verdict This well-written and carefully researched first full biography devoted to Balasaraswati is filled with rich detail. It should appeal to specialized audiences interested in dance traditions and cultural history.-Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, NJ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.