NADAM, an institute of fine arts run by Nandini Mehta and K. Murali Mohan organized an abhinaya workshop by Bragha Bessell for the second consecutive summer in Bangalore (in May 2010).

Be it Ananya’s perfect cozy basement auditorium or Nadam’s own centre at Banashankari or Bragha Akka (as she is addressed) the ever smiling artiste-guru, self absorbed in abhinaya or soothing our body into each character beating the outside mercury levels, it was all too tailor made for a dance enthusiast.

Bragha Akka had a marathon of abhinaya classes as she handled three back to back sessions at Ananya and one in the evening at Banashankari. Despite all this as she stood decked and puffed in her practice sari everyday, one would watch her enthusiasm in awe – for this is an artiste who is into her mid fifties.

The workshop was all about understanding poetry, internalization of the character, enjoying the portrayal and expressing through the face. Whether it was the younger batch regaling in the life of naughty Krishna or the senior professionals trying to slip into the ‘other’ woman’s cunning moves, it was an exercise to let go off inhibitions and soak in the joy of emotions.

With about 10 people in each batch to cater to, Bragha Akka had to do all the running around raising one’s stance or fixing the eyes at particular points or demonstrating stress areas. She had this uncanny ability to relate all expressions to real life and how one would react in a similar situation. This eased the comfort level of the dancers in expressing themselves. Her subtle way of pointing mistakes (she rather called it doing them the better way!) and offering feedback provided the participants a positive approach towards learning.

And in between all the teaching and learning, there were feelings shared and experiences revealed. When dancers had to laugh at the stupidity of Krishna they recalled their acts and laughed spontaneously and when they depicted the Nayaka’s love for his Nayaki, how they wished it was true in real life! And when one day Bragha Akka very excitedly exclaimed “Naa Innikki Enn Magana Paakka Poren” (In Tamil, it meant - I am going to meet my son today!), there was ‘Abhinaya’ even in that expression!

The workshop ended with a mesmerising performance of hers. She took us through a kaleidoscope of emotions in her two hour ‘Only abhinaya’ recital. And it was performed to a packed auditorium.

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