Hiromi Maruhashi’s face lights up as we sit down to speak about Mohiniyattam. The classical dance type of Kerala has been integral to her life for over three many years now. Every 12 months she comes right down to the State to brush up on her classes, be taught new productions and teaches dancers again dwelling.
She is all set to return dwelling after a 10-day intensive workshop beneath danseuse Neena Prasad. Hiromi recollects that it was her quest to be taught conventional dance varieties that led her to Mohiniyattam. “I was into contemporary dance and happened to read about Kerala’s dance forms. I started with learning Nangiarkoothu from Margi Sathi. But I couldn’t stage it in Japan because it was not possible to procure the mizhavu (copper drum used as the accompanying percussion instrument). Sathi teacher suggested that I learn Mohiniyattam and introduced me to Kalamandalam Leelamma,” says Hiromi.
Hiromi Maruhashi
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Although she joined Kerala Kalamandalam, she dropped out after a few months and took non-public classes from Leelamma trainer. “After Leelamma teacher’s demise, I took lessons from various teachers each time I came down to Kerala. Except during the pandemic, I travelled to the State every year for Mohiniyattam lessons. I realised that not all teachers are devoted to the dance form. For some it is like running a business.”
Hiromi observes that Neena’s workshop has been a totally different expertise. “We were taken through the basics of Mohiniyattam. It was refreshing and I felt like a beginner. We learnt various songs and gained a lot of academic knowledge.”
She considers Mohiniyattam a “complete art from. I like the movement, expressions, the narratives…”
Hiromi Maruhashi
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Besides educating Mohiniyattam, Hiromi takes yoga lessons in Japan and works with the federal government on totally different well being programmes for senior residents. “This includes exercise and diet. There are sessions to improve their intellectual growth as well.”
Hiromi has additionally acted within the Malayalam transfer, Nottam (2005). “That happened because of Sathi teacher. Her husband had been electrocuted during the shoot and she was devastated. I was among those who egged her to face the camera again. She agreed on the condition that I take her to the location. So I came down from Japan for this. Eventually I got a small role as well.”
Talking about her proficiency in talking, studying and writing Malayalam, Hiromi says that she began studying Malayalam whereas finding out Nangiarkoothu. “It improved once I started coming here every year. I am even called to the immigration office in Japan for translation work. The police has also sought my help.”
Her affiliation with Kerala has been so deep that she has learnt to prepare dinner most conventional dishes of the State. She has additionally written a e book in Japanese on her tryst with Kerala and Indian art and tradition.
Published – April 21, 2025 02:47 pm IST
