My Dance Journey

What began as an extracurricular activity after school, Dance has now become an integral part of my life and a medium for lifelong self-discovery. I was introduced to dance at a very young age as my parents were very passionate about classical artforms because of a deep cultural background in the family. Today, I cannot thank them enough for instilling a commitment to uphold these values and creating a desire to dance in me.

I started my training in Bharatanatyam under the tutelage of Guru Kalamandalam Sudha and Smt. Vijayalakshmi Kannan who had both introduced me to Mohiniyattam at a very young age. My desire to pursue the artforms further took me to Guru Padmashree Kalamandalam Kshemavathy from whom I received a formal structural training in both the classical dance forms. I was blessed and fortunate to have learned and performed to many of Guru Kshemavathy’s solo and group production choreographies which provided me with opportunities to learn and understand the nuances of the artform better. 

When I decided to migrate to the United States to pursue my Master’s degree in 2003, I knew that I was leaving behind all the years of training I was receiving under the guidance of my Guru Padmashri Kalamandalam Kshemavathy and her physical presence in my life. Being in a new country and adapting into the new culture, staying connected to the performing arts was extremely challenging. Years passed by and the desire to practice and perform Mohiniyattam that lay dormant in me slowly began to sprout. I started searching for Mohiniyattam teachers, however those efforts were in vain. Online classes that are so prevalent today were non existent in those days.

My desire to pursue Mohiniyattam grew stronger, and I decided to approach my Guru on my next visit to India. I re-learned the basics along with a few pieces from her choreography. I realized that while in the US I need to work hard on these pieces and at the same time practice rigorously so that the dance movements get ingrained in my body. The path was never easy, but I was mentally prepared for it and remained focused on my goals. I started doing small performances which instilled a lot of confidence in me to pursue the artform further.

My tryst with Mohiniyattam continued to grow and I realized that going back to my Guru once in a few years was just not enough. I began my training in Mohiniyattam online under the guidance of Dr Neena Prasad. I eventually started Sreepadmam School of Dance in Fremont, CA to impart the knowledge I had acquired in the same rigorous structural format. I also wished to create awareness about the artform among the Indian diaspora and dance enthusiasts in the US. I am very grateful that my students, who have their roots in Kerala as well as other parts of India, are learning, practicing, performing, and appreciating this beautiful dance form.

Doing a full margam in Mohiniyattam and capturing the attention of the audience throughout the performance is no small feat. I have been fortunate to be involved with several projects in the US such as organizing full Mohiniyattam performances such as Krishnakadhamrudam with my Guru Kshemavathy, presenting Sharanagathi with my students, and the online event titled Sampradaya —Celebrating Traditions in Mohiniyattam that showcased upcoming Mohiniyattam artists in India. These projects have helped bring awareness and appreciation for the artform to audiences in the US.

I have been pursuing Mohiniyattam under the guidance of Guru Dr Neena Prasad for the past five years and Bharatanatyam under the guidance of Guru Balagurunathan for the past 4 years. I hope to continue to learn, impart that knowledge to my students, experiment within the structure of the artform, and do new choreographies. I hope to tap into my creative spirit even as I pursue my full-time IT profession. My arts activities include organizing Mohiniyattam workshops, lecture demonstrations and performances by legendary artists in the field. I started training in Kathakali under the guidance of Guru Kalamandalam Balasubramanian to understand and appreciate the artform better.

Mohiniyattam is very close to my heart, body and soul. The andholika experience in the body is close to a blissful experience which is beyond words to express. I am grateful that I can stay connected to its roots and values and impart some of that knowledge to the coming generations.