My journey started at the age of four when I first received training from Guru Smt. Sujata Raghavendra in Bangalore and hasn’t stopped since then! I began taking an interest in other dance forms avidly when I turned 12 and decided to watch countless YouTube tutorials/videos/Music Videos of dancers and actors/actresses to familiarize myself with styles such as hip hop, afrobeat, Bollywood, jazz, contemporary, etc.
1. Tell us more about your background and journey.
I primarily am an Indian classical dancer - trained in Bharatanatyam for over 18 years now and am a current disciple of Kalaimamani Guru Smt. Roja Kannan’s Bharathanatyalaya in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. I currently dance with The MOD Project - a South Asian fusion dance team here in Chicago, Illinois; previously danced with Chicago Adaa - a Bollywood fusion team affiliated with the Desi Dance Network.
2. When did you first decide you wanted to pursue dancing and how did you start?
My journey started at the age of four when I first received training from Guru Smt. Sujata Raghavendra in Bangalore and hasn’t stopped since then! I began taking an interest in other dance forms avidly when I turned 12 and decided to watch countless YouTube tutorials/videos/Music Videos of dancers and actors/actresses to familiarize myself with styles such as hip hop, afrobeat, Bollywood, jazz, contemporary, etc. Essentially I wanted to study dance to dance better if that makes sense.
3. Who is your favourite dancer or idol and why?
Oof tough question - I have A LOT. Let’s start with Bharatanatyam. My idol is my Guru Smt. Roja Kannan. She, to me, is the perfect example of what a great dancer and person should be like. Her passion for dance, the theory behind it, the discipline that she leads her life with, and the beautiful manner with which she teaches us and nurtures us is unparalleled.
Aside from my Guru, well - Karen Chuang, Keone and Mari Madrid, Sagar Bora, Saumya Kamble, and my teammates! shoutout to Anup Kilani, Varshith Palagiri, and Aahlad Vadrevu - these three always push me to move and think differently.
4. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring artists?
Never stop learning about your passion. There’s so much more to discover, especially when you think you’ve reached the pinnacle and you feel like you know it all. There’s always more!
5. Has there been any performance of yours which you felt was your best one? If yes, then what made it special?
Haha! I’d say that my Arangetram was my best performance. I was nine, and I think I truly danced without thinking too much about others’ perceptions. It was pure joy that I experienced onstage. I wish I could go back to that level of carefree dancing.
6. What do you believe are the opportunities one gets as a dancer?
Quite a few! There are the music videos, ad campaigns, choreographer/instructor positions, influencer campaigns, and shows either with artists, or independent dance tours. A lot more these days.
7. If not this, what would you be doing?
Hard to imagine what I’d be doing without dance, but I’d probably still be in the creative field. Set design or exhibition design.
8. Which is your favourite book/show and why?
Favourite show - Haunting of Hill House! The camera choreography and storytelling in episode 5 sealed the deal for me.
Interviewed By - Nimisha Dutta
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