dance – Glint 2020

I started dancing in kindergarten- my mom enrolled me in my first dance academy in first grade. I’ve done numerous stage shows- Bollywood, hip-hop, contemporary. I was tiny! Even auditioned for Ganesh Acharya’s music video, I think I was the youngest dancer there. I did not get selected, but it was a different world that I saw. In ninth grade I learnt salsa and contemporary dance, but could not give them much time. But whenever I saw a new dance style or the latest hook step, I would sneak into my room; switch on the music and practice. When I was introduced to Korean pop music, I found their songs and choreography breath-taking. It inspires your passion, no matter what it is. I have friends who started writing and sketching!

I started a Dance account on Instagram last July and post covers. When I get comments and feedback- it makes me so happy! And when somebody tells me they really want to see me dance on a specific choreography- ah!

When I dance- I don’t know- but my face starts glowing. I can’t help smiling- it makes me giddy to imagine that an audience finds as much happiness in seeing me dance as me! Dancing stimulates my happy hormones! When I see complex pieces of music with equally intricate choreography- it floors me. I just want to recreate the awe I feel when I experience this beautiful art form.

I really look forward to being recognised by people I look up to- apart from a future with a professional commitments, it is my dream to join a crew that dances for the love of dance. I think that every time you choreograph a piece, you evolve. All of the input from various dance styles and artists that you can get inspired from, when mixed up to produce something that perfectly fits the music- something that you can see once and go- Wow! This is God’s work! When you can look back at your work and you are sincerely happy with what you see, with what you’ve done, I think that is what success means to me. Recognition is important, but is also everywhere. But for me, if you can see it once and go- Wow! I have done this! It inspires you so much- let’s do this all over again!

Before I posted my first cover, I thought it wouldn’t last 2 months. But the influx of affection on my dance and expressions- some people asked if I could teach them- a girl messaged to say she was learning from this video- I can’t stop now! Apart from making me happy, it’s making others too!

It all started when I was two and a half years old, with my school teacher convincing my mother to let me participate in an inter-school dance competition, and I was very happy when we won the competition!

My mom enrolled me for Bharatnatyam classes in primary school. We would miss school periods (with our teacher’s permission!) to practice for the dance competitions our school group used to take part in, and we won almost every time! My parents were always very encouraging, and I made sure I did not let this affect my studies. My teachers would always tell them that I was a very shy child in class, but when it came to dancing, I was comfortable with expressing myself.

My Guruji gave me an opportunity to work in a commercial Marathi play.
The shows of this drama were limited to summer and Diwali vacations only and they used to pay us. I was only four years old at that time, and this experience made me feel special. My parents’ proud faces were my inspiration to continue dancing.

I have done theatre for more than 10 years now, including 3 Marathi dance dramas. Working with renowned artists of the Marathi film industry and being featured in the newspapers at the age of seven really makes me feel proud of myself.

Today, I’m a Bharatnatyam vishard, a graduate in this dance form, and have done my arangetram. I’ve also started making dance covers on Bollywood songs with my friends from my Bharatnatyam class for Instagram.

Having traveled to many places to perform, and accomplished so much at a young age, I hope to complete the rest of my bucket list with my new career, and work as a physiotherapist to work for the betterment of my fellow dancers.