Bharatanatyam has long been one of the most meaningful ways that I have connected to my Indian culture. I’ve been dancing since I was six, and I have learned that Bharatanatyam is not only a grueling, technical activity, but also a beautiful form of storytelling and a means to show devotion to God. As I progressed throughout my years as a dancer, my curiosity about the world of Bharatanatyam deepened. I began to notice the subtle differences between dance academies across Atlanta, and even internationally.
The idea of pursuing an internship first took shape when I connected with Mrs. Shalini Srikanth, the founder of the Bharatanatyam dance studio, Pranava, in Bangalore, India. As I learned more about the academy, Shalini’s dedication to Bharatanatyam deeply influenced me, and I became interested in learning about what it took to start up and maintain a dance academy. Studying under Shalini has allowed me to learn about what it takes to be a teacher in one of the most competitive industries in South India.
On a typical day at the studio, I would arrive at 9 AM to rehearse choreography that I would later teach to students. After rehearsal, I would shadow my mentors’ morning classes with 1-2 senior (around 22-23 year old girls) students. I learned about the intricacies of rehearsals, different types of footwork, and how choreography is planned. In the afternoon through the evening, I helped in managing rehearsals for younger children through starting warm ups, teaching choreography, helping to learn basic mudras (hand gestures) and correcting their adavus (basic steps).
This internship has taught me discipline and patience. Both of those attributes are crucial for understanding how to teach as well as being able to execute properly. More than anything, however, this internship has given me a community that I will never be able to repay. Of course, the practical lessons I learned along the way—time management, patience and social skills—were important and deeply valuable. Still, it is the community that has left the most lasting impact on me. This is a community I know I will always return to, and one I will continue to learn from. It is, I believe, what makes Bharatanatyam feel so alive. The people I’ve met here are some of the most dedicated individuals I’ve ever known, and through them I’ve learned how to navigate student-teacher relationships, serve as a role model, and offer meaningful support to others. Having akkas (students older to me), in particular, have been integral to my success here (and they have kept me sane). They supported me when I felt discouraged, helped me with corrections and were always a smiling presence at the end of the day.
