The Life and Times of Lameri : The Queen of Ethnic Dance

Contents: Foreword. Preface. Introduction. 1. Looking through a mirror : a glimpse of personal life. 2. Images : La Meri and the Indian imagery. 3. Crystals : La Meri as an ethnic dance expert. 4. Reflections : inspirations and achievements. 5. Spotlight : stars on and off the stage. 6. Rainbow : the colourful life and beyond. Appendices.

"Russel Meriwether Hughes, born in Louisville, Kentucky, on 13 May, 1898, later came to be known as 'La Meri', the dancer, poet, writer, ethnic dance teacher and choreographer of repute. She travelled three times around the world and each time she diligently studied authentic dance forms and made them part of her repertoire.

She came to India, 'her dreamland', and managed to learn Bharatanatyam from Papanasam Vadivelu and Kathak from Ram Dutt Tiwari and held performances very creditably. She analysed all the dance movements and created a good methodology for teaching the varied dance forms from different countries. She was called the 'Queen of Ethnic Dances' and energetically propagated the dances, for she believed in dance as the best form of communications, to bring about peace and amity amongst people from different cultures.

The text supplemented by excellent and rare photographs, bears testimony to the versatility of La Meri, the artist and La Meri, the woman.

It is hoped that this monograph will add significantly to the meagre literature on this extraordinary artist." (jacket)