G. Sundaramurthy Photo credit: Special Arrangements

“Dance for me was not just about moving to the rhythm; it was a journey of self-discovery,” says G. Sundaramurthy, reflecting on his extraordinary path from difficulty to global recognition.

Sundaramoorthy’s dedication to his craft led him to achieve a monumental feat: performing 154 types of traditional dances in 65 hours, earning him a prominent place in the Asia Book of Records. Born in Gobichettipalayam, Sundaramurthy’s path to becoming a renowned traditional dancer was marked by struggle, resilience and dedication to preserving cultural heritage. Ganasekaran and his mother Indrani moved to Chennai after their divorce when he was three years old and settled in a slum near Arakonam. He worked at a clerical post to support his family. Sundaramamoorthy’s family’s strong ties to Kumbathu Uttam, a traditional dance form from the Congo region, and his mother’s passion for Bharatanatyam formed the foundation for his journey into the world of dance.

His love for dance began during the lively local temple festivals, where he danced for hours. Recognizing his potential, his mother introduced him to Thiruthani Koval Narthagi Madhugachyamal, a respected Bharatanatyam teacher. “Personally, I had no interest in learning Bharatanatyam. My mother would pay me to watch movies with my friends, on the condition that I learn Bharatanatyam. That’s how my journey began,” he recalls. .

Three years later, Sundaramurthy enrolled at the Tamil Nadu Music College in Chennai to study Bharatanatyam, mastering the Thanjavur style and making his arrangement. “Bharatanatyam brought out the hidden potential in me. It wasn’t just about dance; it was about embracing who I really was.”

Between performances in various cities, Sundaramurthy’s hunger for knowledge led him to explore folk arts. Inspired by the dynamic stage shows he saw, he became interested in learning Karagatam.,In which actors dance to folk songs with pots on their heads. This dance is performed in praise of Mary, the goddess of rain.

G. Sundaramurthy Photo credit: Special Arrangements

He was saddened to witness the erosion of traditional dance forms. He says, “Traditionally, Karagatam is about dancers dressed in beautiful sarees gracefully balancing a pot on their heads. But today it has lost its soul.” Determined to, Sundaramurthy embarked on a mission to master the traditional dances.Starting with Karagam, he learned Thirokothu, Deviratam, Oyaltam, Kavadi Uttam, Poikal Katharai Uttam and many more and traveled to different regions. , immersed himself in the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu, learned from the masters and preserved the authenticity of each art form.

“My day usually starts at 4 am and ends late at night, around 12 pm. Despite pushing myself to learn multiple dances, I have never felt stressed. This is only possible when one Don’t have expectations and don’t have a mindset of continuous learning.” After 16 years of continuous learning, Sundaramurthy’s achievement is a world record that she now holds in the Asia Book of Records for the longest traditional dance marathon. He is also a recipient of the Tamil Nadu Government’s Kalaivaarmani title in recognition of his contribution to folk arts.

“At the age of 30, I accomplished my world record performance. It was unexpected; I never thought of breaking the record myself,” explains Sundaramurthy. “The idea came from a college program. It arose during a casual conversation where I mentioned knowing over 200 dance forms. This joke led to a challenge suggested by a professor, which ignited my desire.

Despite the work ahead, Sundaramurthy was determined. “Creating a world record was no easy feat. Each dance required specific props and costumes, which added to the challenge,” he explains. “After securing sponsorship and a venue, I Two months devoted to intense practice. It was not without setbacks; I suffered severe back problems and delayed my preparation and treatment.

Undaunted, Sundaramurthy resumed practice with renewed determination. “I initially danced non-stop for 32 hours, eventually setting the record for the longest traditional dance marathon.” Sundaramurthy’s journey did not end here. “In the years that followed, I set the record for the longest karagam dance and choreographed the largest ovaltum performance.”

Reflecting on the fine arts of our time, Sundaramurthy feels, “Every traditional art form has the power to decide its own destiny. Not everyone can master traditional arts. Only if you are an art form. If you choose to, you will be able to learn, regardless of how great the teacher is or how long you practice.”