Bharatanatyam dancer Vyshnavie Sainath, guest of honour for Hostel Day celebrations of Sarojini Naidu Vanita Mahavidyalaya, Nampally, exhorted the 400 young women gathered, to follow their passion and become multi-taskers.
Vyshnavie said that with rising crime against the fairer sex, talk on Women Empowerment, was the issue of the day, but asked the students what Women Empowerment is. She elaborated that women empowerment does not end with educating the girl and making her economically sound, but by making her physically and mentally strong too.
The young Bharatanatyam dancer said that in a normal household, a girl helps her mother in the kitchen while pursuing studies. The moment she is in a degree college, her marriage is big item on the agenda of her parents. Marriage is a lottery, she is lucky if the husband and in-laws are good and unlucky if it is not as the girl’s life will be a living hell.
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Sharing her personal experiences, the tall elegant dancer said that while she was in Class IX or X, she had made up her mind to become a classical dancer like her mother, guru Rajeshwari Sainath. “Many acquaintances thought my reply was a passing phase but today I am proud of my decision as I have continued my studies along with my passion for dance. I have done my graduation and double post graduation. It is not what we do, but whatever we do must be done with dedication and passion. I thank my parents for supporting me in my passion,” said Vyshnavie.
Talking about Kalaripayattu which is close to her heart, Vaishnavie said that not many were as aware of this martial art as they are of Karate and Kung fu. “I learnt Kalari four years ago and it has made me physically, emotionally and psychologically strong,” said the Bharatanatyam exponent. Vyshnavie elaborated: “It promotes health awareness and teaches defence techniques. This art form will help the mind to be strong and body must be ready to do what the mind orders it to do.”
“With Kalari, physically strong brain gets activated. Better start sweating to perform well. This will help control mood swings too. Open your mind and see what you want to do and enjoy doing it,” Vyshnavie exhorted the youth.
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Talking about economic independence, the dancer said that in some households one gets to see the working wife earning more than the husband. “Remember there should be no room for ego. We should derive happiness doing all this and stand tall,” said Vyshnavie.
Chief guest Shashikanth, MAA TV anchor and actor initiated an interactive session and asked: “Can anyone say why girls are eve teased and should they always be accompanied by a male escort?” He opined that in most co-ed schools, there is a habit of the girls and boys sitting separately. The boys and girls are always murmuring on whether somebody is watching them and sexual ‘feelings start from here’.
Later, Vyshnavie gave an eight-minute Kalari demonstration, along with her two young disciples, which had elements of yoga, Kalari and gymnastics. The audience watched her performance awe struck. This was followed by performances by students.