Part of learning comes from ”Guru or Acharya”
Part of it comes from “Practice and Study”
Part of it comes from “Discussions and Watching”
Part of it comes from “Being Humble and Surrendering”
Part of it comes from “Eternal Blessing of our Elders and our Parama Guru B. Bhanumati”
Part of it comes “In Course of Time”

These are words of my Acharya Dr. Subashree Narayanan.

The dedication with which my Acharya teaches her students is commendable. With me as her student she worked very hard and had to adapt new ways of teaching, she had lot of unlearning and relearning to do, because of unique scenario she is presented. Having a student like me where age is a factor, lack of any prior training in any classical form, lack of music knowledge, all these were road-blocks for her. She beautifully navigated all the hurdles to shape me in this artform. I love the way she deconstructs every step for me, it only makes it very easier to learn. I'm still no expert and the knowledge I have on this artform is just like a drop in an ocean. Whatever little I know is because of my Acharya. Overall, it has been very unifying experience with her. 

On the surface Arangetram preparation started only 6 months ago but there are unseen 5 years of relentless learning, dedication, hard work, sacrifice and commitment from all parties (Acharya, Shishya and Families).

Even before I took a leap in to this art form, I had always been a fitness enthusiast. I was a regular practitioner of strength and cardio training. A strong body is asset to any dancer. With my fitness training I was able to sustain the initial classes which had intrinsic footwork. Lot of people quit in initial stages thinking it might not be possible to withstand the physical needs this artform demands. Investing time earlier, to train body and mind was an added benefit. It takes lot of time to build this and dance itself is very demanding.

I'm not a natural at it, every small step, eye neck movements and expressions are worked upon in several iterations before I could even present it.
In my Journey I came across many people who gives out this amazing energy at you by saying the warmest things, that keep you going and motivate you. That good will is very important and played major role in this journey.

Preparing to dance doesn’t necessarily mean Moving All the Time, it can also mean Thinking (Mental Practice), Reading, Collecting Literature, Watching other Rasika's dance etc. Lot of hours were spent doing all the above. 

When audience watches a Bharatanatyam performance it can mean different things to different people.

If you are very devotional, it can invoke Bhakti Rasa in you
If you are interested in mythology or short stories, this Art form is can be a story telling platform for you
If you are a drama lover, come check out the drama being created on stage (with dance, lighting and music)
If you are a Carnatic music lover this, be a Kutcheri to you. We have assembled all top-notch ensemble for you
If you are a dance connoisseur or a fellow Rasika come to see the execution and a positive critic
If you are my friend, come to cheer and encourage me. And if you are friend of a friend, also come to make me your new friend.
If you are a fitness enthusiast, come gauge what kind of work might have been gone in building the stamina.

If you do not fall in to any of these categories and don’t understand anything about classical dance or classical music still do come because emotions are universal, movement is universal.

All said and done, this is a performing art. If there is no audience, there no performance.

“Just like how it takes a village to raise a child, it takes an entire community to raise an Artist”. 

Almost 90% of the people pursuing or Learning this Art form (Bharatanatyam) start early between the ages 4 to 10.

I started at the tender age of “34” (in 2018) with no prior background except for the fact that I know the word “Bharatanatyam”.

I was not taken seriously and was refused to take in to class by other Bharatnatyam teachers before being chosen by Dr. Narayanan.

Every piece of my Arangetram has been practiced at least few hundreds of times.

I might have missed few handful of scheduled classes for past 5 years.