Japanese artist Hiromi Maruhashi says Mohiniyattam is a complete art form

Hiromi Maruhashi | Photo source: Athira M

Hiromi Maruhashi’s face lit up as we sat down to talk about Mohiniyattam. The classical dance form of Kerala has been an indispensable thirty years of her life. Every year, she comes to the state to refresh her courses, learn new works, and teach interested dancers to come home.

She was ready to return home after a intensive 10-day seminar led by Danseuse Neena Prasad. Hiromi recalls that the pursuit of learning traditional dance forms brought her into MohiniyAttam. “I loved contemporary dance and happened to read the dance form in Kerala. I started with Margi Sathi learning about nangiarkoothu. But I couldn’t stage it in Japan because it was impossible to purchase it Mizhavu (used as the included percussion instrument). Teacher Sathi suggested that I study Mohiniyattam and introduced me to Kalamandalam Leelamma. ” Hiromi said.

Hiromi Maruhashi | Photo source: Special arrangement

Although she joined Kalamandalam, Kerala, she dropped out of school a few months later and took a private lesson from teacher Leelamma. “After the demise of Teacher Leelamma, every time I came to Kerala, I would take classes from various teachers. Unless during the pandemic, I went to classes in Mohiniyattam, the state every year. I realized that I realized that not all teachers were dedicated to dancing.

Hiromi observed that Neena’s workshop was a different experience. “We went through the basics of Mohiniyattam. It was refreshing and I felt like a beginner. We learned all kinds of songs and gained a lot of academic knowledge.”

She thinks Mohiniyattam is “the complete art from. I love movement, expression, narrative…”

Hiromi Maruhashi | Photo source: Special arrangement

In addition to teaching Mohiniyattam, Hiromi also takes yoga classes in Japan and works with the government to provide different health plans for the elderly. “This includes exercise and diet. There are also meetings that can improve their intellectual growth.”

Hiromi also took action in Malayalam Notam (2005). “It happened because of Sathi’s teacher. Her husband was electrocuted during the filming and she was destroyed. I was the one who made her face with the camera again and she agreed to me bring her to the location. So I came down from Japan. I ended up playing a small role as well.”

Speaking about her proficiency in speaking, reading and writing Malayalam, Hiromi said she began learning Malayalam while studying Nangiarkoothu. “Once I start coming here every year, it improves. I’ve even been called to the immigration office in Japan for translation work. The police also sought my help.”

Her connection with Kerala is so deep that she has learned to cook most traditional dishes in the state. She also wrote a book with tryst of Kerala and Indian art and culture.