Research Catalog

Title

Interview with Indrani [sound recording].

Author

Rahman, Indrani, 1930-1999.

Publication

1975.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Oswald, Genevieve.

Description

2 sound discs (ca. 98 min.) : digital; 4 3/4 in.

Summary

• Disc 1 (ca. 49 min.). Indrani [Indrani Rahman] speaks with Genevieve Oswald about her family background, in particular her mother [Ragini Devi; born Esther Louella Sherman] and her career in Indian classical dance including Kathakali as well as her tremendous influence on Indrani and her career; her training and performing with her mother; her decision to pursue Bharata natyam [in the Pandanallur style] including the process of finding her guru Chokkalingam Pillai[Cokkaliṇkam Piḷḷai], the son-in-law of Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai; her training with Chokkalingam Pillai including an anecdote illustrating the relationship of teacher and student [ends abruptly but continues directly on disc 2].
• Disc 2 (ca. 49 min.). Indrani [Indrani Rahman] continues to speak with Genevieve Oswald about studying with Chokkalingam Pillai including her debut performance as his disciple; the very strict discipline required of his students and how this has helped her throughout her career; Chokkalingam Pillai as a person including his physical appearance; her poor physical condition at the time of her debut; Chokkalingam Pillai's teaching method; her career following her debut including occasional periods of study with other gurus; her study of other dance forms including Mohiniyattam; her pursuit of Odissi temple dance in the state of Orissa including the difficulties she encountered in order to attend a performance by authentic Odissi temple dancers; the harsh social discrimination against the temple dancers and her attempts to help them; differences between Odissi dance and Bharata natyam; the improved status of Odissi dancers today; performing overseas; reasons it is increasingly difficult to succeed as a classical dancer including the decreased interest in the revival of classical Indian dances and the negative influence of the dancing shown in Indian films; her current work as a presenter and promoter of classical dancers both in India and overseas.

Alternative Title

Dance Oral History Project.

Subjects

• Piḷḷai, Cokkaliṇkam
• Audiotapes > Rahman, I
• Odissi dance
• Dance > India
• Bharata natyam
• Ragini Devi
• Rahman, Indrani, 1930-1999

Note

• Interview with Indrani [Indrani Rahman] conducted by Genevieve Oswald on Dec. 11, 1975, in New York City for the New York Public Library's Oral History Project.
• Sound quality is good overall. The speakers' voices are easily intelligible, but the recording is marred by tape hiss and occasional extraneous noises.

Funding (note)

• The assistance of the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts is gratefully acknowledged.

Call Number

*MGZTL 4-391

OCLC

811027223

Author

Rahman, Indrani, 1930-1999. Interviewee

Title

Interview with Indrani [sound recording].

Imprint

1975.

Original Version

Original format : 1 sound reel (ca. 98 min.; 5"; 1 channel; 1 7/8 in. per sec.; half-track; polyester). Originally recorded in 1975.

Funding

The assistance of the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts is gratefully acknowledged.

Local Note

For a transcript of the audio recording see: *MGZMT 5-391.

Former call no.: *MGZT 5-391

Archive original: *MGZTO 5-391

Added Author

Oswald, Genevieve. Interviewer

Research Call Number

*MGZTL 4-391