Today I happened to chance upon a book written by Tulasi Badirnath, a dancer and student of well known dancer and guru Dhananjayan. The book chronicles his journey in dance. I was glancing through the pages when I chanced upon a chapter that had the name of one of the young dancers of Bangalore – Charles Ma and the chapter is no:19. In the very open lines Charles Ma says “categorically” “There are no good gurus in Bangalore” ???????? I was amazed at the nonchalance with which this rather young dancer who is as I would describe crawling in to the world of dance could make such bomb blasting statements. Charles has had a very disjointed and confused learning stint. He began with one teacher then moved on to Poornima Ashok then scampered to Padmaja Suresh then? went back to Poornima Ashok and then also went to Priyadarshini Govind????????? He has been meeting other gurus and teachers during this time too.
In the nearly 5 page chapter I have a couple of objections.
1. The fact that he thinks there are no Gurus in Bangalore
2. The fact that those that exist know nothing or less
3. The fact that Bharata Natyam is monopolized by Tamil Brahmins if that was the case then many would not be performing and teaching now
4. The fact that 96% of the male dancers are GAY, EFFEMINATE, OR HIDDEN GAY.
5. The fact that the guru he is referring to in the “one lakh” arangetram episode does not have a sense of tala and blotched his arangetram.
Other than this I object to the fact that not once has he mentioned that any guru in Bangalore has ever taught him any thing worthwhile. He learnt from Poornima Ashok who toiled to make him perform what ever he is doing today, yet not a word about her in praise. The style she teaches is the Kalakshetra style and in a hoarding that Charles has put up near his house for his classes he says “vazhvoor” style???????
What gives him the right and freedom to say what he likes in a derogatory tone about gurus and other male dancers. In my long career spanning nearly 4 decades I have worked with so many male dancers, NOT ONE EVEN ONE OF THEM HAS EVER HAD THE TEMERITY TO EVER SPEAK ABOUT THEIR COLLEAGUES SENIOR OR JUNIOR IN SUCH TERMS”.
He has been supported by so many gurus performers organisers etc to make a mark in Bangalore. This interview of his is totally reckless, presumptuous, brash and impudent.
He owes a public apology to Bangalore Gurus/Performers/Organisers and colleagues. If he has such a problem with the cities gurus he may as well move to the city of Chennai where he thinks are the right gurus who will give him the right kind of training.
While we grow in the world of dance the most primal thing we are taught is the shloka “Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devo Maheshwaraha, Gurur Sakshath para brahma, Tasmai sri guruve namaha” unfortunately Charles seems to have forgotten this??
Generally its not in good taste to say things like “ older women were after me!!!!” I did drugs, smoking, drinking etc. How did he say these things in an interview that too getting published in a book, am extremely shocked with his trueness!!!!!!
And finally a last word about the author, she could have easily checked with the gurus before she printed such information in a book. May be she thought it made interesting reading since it was rather gossipy.
For the young dance practitioners of today, pray seal your lips and bring in dedication, devotion, guru bhakti, and loads of humility in your self. Always be aware of the reality that there is much much more to achieve and there is a long way to go. This is a lesson for each one of you, if you want to survive in the world of arts its very important to follow these disciplines.
The world within..........&........out 
This is extremely shocking to read Usha akka…. I cannot believe the bluntness with which he has spoken. It angers me that we hosted amongst us a person who had no honour for the people around him, value for what he was being taught and no respect for his Gurus.. I do hope that at some point in his life he will understand the gravity of a Guru’s position and regret what he has said. I am with you in your view completely.
That’s said by Charles priyanka you have got it wrong I said I have an objection to it. So I don’t have to prove it it’s his statement. Pl read properly before making a comment