In 2014 we have bidden farewell to many great dancers and choreographers; the curtains have been drawn on their physical presence in this world. They will be sorely missed. However, their achievements will be remembered for times to come. They all seemed deeply connected with their inner-souls while traversing this beautiful journey called life. As the year draws to a close, it’s fitting that we pay tribute to these wonderful performers. May their souls Rest In Peace…till we meet again.
Beverly Schmidt Blossom (Modern Dance - USA): Blossom, an American modern dancer and a professor at the University of Illinois, died on 1st November, aged 88. Blossom choreographed and performed in more than 100 works, including with many dancing greats. Her career was revived in Jacob’s Pillow, Massachusetts, 1988. Blossom was awarded the Martha Hill Award for Life Achievement in 2009.
Maya Rao (Kathak - India): Maya Rao died on 1st September, aged 86. She is credited with popularising Kathak, a North Indian dance form, in South India. Trained under Guru Shambhu Maharaj, Maya Rao served as the Vice-Chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Academi. At the invitation of the then Chief Minister of Karnataka, Ramakrishna Hegde, Rao set up a dance school in Bangalore. A Sangeet Natak Academi, Tagore Ratna and Rajotsava awardee, Maya Rao also co-authored an autobiography titled, ‘Maya Rao - A Lifetime in Choreography’.
Nina Vladimirovna Timofeeva (Ballet - Russia): On 3rd November, 79-year-old Timofeeva breathed her last. Making her debut in Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nut Cracker’, Timofeeva became a solo ballerina. Her major roles include The Sleeping Beauty (1964), Legend of Love (1965), Don Quixote (1959) and Swan Lake (1956). After settling down in Israel, Timofeeva published her memoir, titled ‘The World of Ballet’, in 1993.
Jean Babilee (Ballet - France): Babilee died on 30th January, aged 90. This French dancer-choreographer is considered to be one of Ballet’s greatest performers. He fought as part of the French resistance against Hitler’s Germany during World War II, and escaped from Nazi clutches on a few occasions. After the War, he became the principal dancer in the productions, ‘Jeu de Cartes’ and ‘Jeune homme et la mort’ (in which he also performed in 1984, at the age of 61). He founded his own company - Les Ballets Jean Babilee. Babilee also featured in stage shows and movies. A documentary, ‘Le Mystere Babilee’, which focused on his life’s achievements, was made in the year 2000.
Donald Edward Saddler (Ballet - USA): Saddler journeyed into the other world on 1st November, aged 85. Saddler was an original member of the American Ballet. He featured in movies like Rosalie (1937) and Wizard of Oz (1939), before enlisting for World War II. After the War, Saddler moved on to Broadway and choreographed for feature films like Silvery Moon and Radio Days. His choreographic successes on stage include ‘High Button Shoes’ and ‘Wonderful Town’.
Ivan Nagy (Ballet - Hungary): Nagy died of illness on 22nd February. He was 74. A Hungarian who defected to the United States in 1965, Nagy joined the National Ballet and New York City Ballet, where he met his wife, Australian dancer Marilyn Burr. Though Nagy was an excellent ballet artiste who danced with well-known ballerinas, he retired at the age of 35. After retirement he shifted to direction, working with the Ballet de Santiago and English National Ballet. He was also the Advisor to the Hungarian State Opera Ballet.
Aiche Nana (Striptease, Belly Dance - Turkey/Lebanon): Nee Kiash Nanah, Aiche was a Lebanese born actress and stripper. Her scandalous striptease act in Rome earned the wrath of devout Catholics in the 1950s. Aiche Nana then moved to Paris and became a belly dancer. The Federico Fellini film, ‘La Dolce Vita’, was inspired by Nana’s scandalous exploits in Rome. The Movie was highly acclaimed and won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 1960 and the Oscar Award for best costume. Nana died on 29th January in Rome. She was 78.
Mary Hinkson (Modern Dance - USA): Mary Hinkson died of pulmonary fibrosis on 26th November, at the age of 89. Hinkson is best known for her work with the legendary Martha Graham in the latter’s Dance Company, which she later quit due to creative differences with Graham. An African American, Hinkson delivered many memorable dance performances - Cave of the Heart, Ardent Song, Phaedra. Hinkson was also the lead dancer in the New York City Opera, in 1953. In addition to working with the legendary Harry Belafonte, Hinkson was also associated with Alvin Ailey, another great performer.
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