Just a few minutes before her arangetram, six-and-a-half-year-old dancer Sudharma Vaithiyanathan was jumping around with her cousins. But once on the stage, like a well-trained performer, she began essaying pieces taught by her teacher Srekala Bharath.
Sixteen years later, now under the tutelage of dancer-teacher A. Lakshman, Sudharma remains a bundle of energy.
Crediting her parents for helping her take the crucial decision of pursuing dance as a profession, she says, “My mother, Anita, has been a big support and ensured that I strike a fine balance between dance and academics.”
Sudharma is not new to the world of dance though as she has grown up watching her photographer-father Chella Vaithiyanathan capture through his lens the work of eminent classical artistes.
Inspired by the teacher
Talking about how her teacher’s dedication for the art has brought in her an increased sense of responsibility and focus, she says, “Being a full-time dancer means that you have to spend more time and energy on both learning and analysing what you’ve imbibed. There’s more internalisation that occurs, so you have an opportunity to research your art before performing.”
“My guru has been a great source of inspiration, his perspective and approach help me understand the different dimensions of the dance form. There is so much to take home at the end of every rehearsal,” says Sudharma, who feels her real journey has just begun. Adhering to the grace of the Vazhuvoor style, she is keen to make the art her life’s calling. “I realise that it is not easy, yet I am determined to keep at it. More than anything else, there is a sense of joy and contentment when you are doing something close to your heart.”
Referring to the changing times and tastes, Sudharma feels that there is an urgent need to talk about the essence of tradition and reach out to the uninitiated.
“But we don’t know how to. Most young artistes share this viewpoint. With a support system in place, we could take concrete steps to take our rich classical forms to more and more people.”
Sudharma is ready to work even harder to discover the beauty of the form and share it with the world.
