Re: avadhaanaalu - kavitvam
Bapa Rao (baparao@locus.com)
Tue, 5 Mar 1996 10:11:19 -0800 (PST)
If I may speculate on VCJ's critique of avadhaanaalu, I suggest that
an avadhaanam is very much like a men's gymnastics display. The emphasis
is on power and strength, less on beauty and grace. In women's gymnastics,
there is more emphasis (in terms of scoring) on grace, artistry etc.
Perhaps there is room for scoring the avadhaanis on various aspects,
a la gymnastics or ice skating? There could be face-offs in the manner
of old royal courts, with judges displaying computerized scores, the
audiences groaning when their favorite gets a few points less, etc.
I can see it now. Little 4 and 5-year olds will be pressured by stage moms
and dads into attending the Medasani avadhanam academy in addition to regular
classes, complaints of burnout at 17, charges of neurological damage,
cries of "is it all worth it?" while the TV networks gleefully rake
in the bucks. :-)
Bapa Rao