Ques. We'd love to kick off this interview by getting to know you. Can you introduce yourself?
Hi, I'm Aditya R. I'm a first-year student, pursuing a degree in Political Science Honors. I'm also a classical dancer, it's been my passion for as long as I can remember.
Ques. Before we dive into the specifics, can you tell us about your journey? What got you started?
Well, no one in my family had a background in dance, so it was a completely new venture for me. My mother was the one who encouraged me to pursue dance, and that's how my journey began. My father is a police officer, and we live in the police quarters, so my neighbors also insisted my parents to put me into classical dancing. I chose classical dance over other forms and started learning Bharatnatyam when I was just three and a half years old. Over time, I also began learning Kathakali and Mohiniyattam. I received a scholarship to learn Kathakali from the Cultural Ministry of India, and I'm a disciple of Padma Shri Bharati Shivaji in Mohiniyattam.
Ques. What encouraged you to turn this interest into a passion and pursue it professionally?
Many classical dance artists have inspired me deeply. While today's generation is more inclined towards Bollywood and modern dance forms. I also have a huge respect for other forms of dance but I have a different perspective on classical dance. Additionally, my teachers have been incredibly supportive and encouraging at every step of my journey. I'm deeply grateful to them.
Ques. So, have you had mentors since the beginning of your journey?
Yes, I've been fortunate to have mentors guiding me along the way. Initially, I was under the mentorship of Kalamandalam Ankita Babu, which laid a strong foundation for my dance journey. Now, I'm professionally learning Mohiniyattam under Padma Shri Bharati Shivaji and focusing on Kathakali under the tutelage of Kalamandalan Anil Kumar.
Ques. Congratulations on winning the gold medal at the Inter-University National Youth Festival! Can you share your experience on being felicitated by the Vice-chancellor of DU?
Thank you! It's an honor to share this experience. Interestingly, I didn't even submit my name for the competition. It was actually the Delhi University that selected me as their representative out of all the colleges, which was an incredible success in itself. I felt extremely grateful and privileged because DU is a massive university with many students pursuing dance professionally. Out of all those students, they chose me to represent them especially for solo classical dance. When I received the call informing me of the selection, I was overwhelmed with gratitude, especially since I had just started college.
The journey through the competition was remarkable and intense. I was selected at the zonal level from the northwest region, which was organized at Maharishi Dayanand University. It was a nerve-wracking experience because classical dance encompasses so many forms, making it challenging to judge. By God's grace, I was selected for Nationals, finally. Competitors came from all over India, which made the competition fierce. When DU was announced as the winner, I genuinely cried with joy. It was a moment of realization that all my hard work had paid off.
However, the journey was also quite overwhelming with a series of unexpected events. The results were announced on April 1, we returned on April 2, and on April 3, I lost my dad. It was an emotional and challenging time for me as he was my great mentor and strong pillar throughout my life.
Ques. As you mentioned earlier, you have been learning three different dance forms. Which dance form did you perform at the competition?
Firstly I performed Mohiniattam and then I performed Kathakali. I've been training for Kathakali since I was in 4th standard, so I've sort of prepared my body to align with the requirements for this particular dance form. Kathakali is quite challenging because it involves elaborate and heavy costumes. If we break down the term it comes out as Katha and Kali, which refer to ‘story’ and ‘play’ respectively. In Kathakali, we embody the characters to convey the story. For this competition, I performed the story of 'Baka Vadham,' where I played the role of Bheema. Bheema is a powerful, masculine, and aggressive character, so portraying him was a bit challenging. It required me to put in a lot of energy to play this character because Bheema was supposed to kill Baka in the play. Even the audience focuses more on costumes so we've been really specific about that as well.
Ques. You've performed at multiple competitions before this. Do you prepare a new piece for each one?
Yes, I do. Since I practice three different dance forms, I prepare a new piece for each performance. Even for the fests in DU, I perform different art forms each time, whether it be Bharatnatyam, Kathakali or Mohiniattam. The whole motive is to continually learn and explore new things.
Ques. How do you perfectly manage your dance rehearsals and competitions along with your academics and other commitments?
That's a tough question. I think it's because I've been doing this since childhood and dancing is a part of my daily routine. Since school I've been indulging in co-curricular activities so I had to manage it then as well. Even during my board exams I was performing. There's no specific strategy; I'm just used to it. Dancing is my passion, and when you love something, you always find a way to make time for it. It's their hard work, dedication and determination that made me what I’m today. They literally converted my dream into reality.
Ques. Talking about competitions, do you think they have helped you grow and develop your personality?
Yes, definitely. I wasn't naturally competitive as a child, but my mother always encouraged me to participate. For me, competitions aren't just about winning or making others lose, they're a way to explore and learn new things. They have given me opportunities to interact with new audiences and participants each time, allowing me to gain knowledge and experience in various aspects.
Ques. Out of all the competitions you've participated in Delhi University, which one has been closest to your heart?
This competition was a major one, unlike the others that were within college. So, I guess this one would be my favorite competition so far. Mainly because I was a fresher here so it made me feel even more encouraged.
Ques. What helped you cope with the pressurizing and competitive environment of these events?
First and foremost, practicing patience is crucial for any artist, and it's the first thing we're taught. When performing, I try not to focus on the opinions and reactions of others. Instead, I concentrate on my practice and performance, which I've learned to master over time. However, I did feel pressured during this competition, but my mother has always been there to support me. She is truly my backbone throughout this dance journey.
Ques. You're part of Nrityakrirti, the Indian classical dance society of Maitreyi College. How has your journey been with this society?
Being part of Nrityakrirti has been quite an experience. The society primarily focuses on folk dance forms of India, which are quite different from classical dance. Initially, I found it challenging because my body was accustomed to practicing classical dance forms. However, I participated in folk dances with the society. I specifically remember portraying the role of Mariamman, a deity in the Karakattam dance form, and I was honored for it.
I participated in competitions with the society, although I usually prefer solo competitions. Nevertheless, it was a rewarding journey as I had the opportunity to learn and perform folk dances, which enriched my overall dance experience.
Ques. Finally, would you like to continue in this field in the future? Are there any specific milestones you're aiming to achieve soon?
I can't imagine ever giving up dance. Dancing is like oxygen for me. While some artists have cautioned me about the challenges of pursuing dance as a career, I have a different perspective. I plan to balance a job with my passion for dance. As for specific milestones, I don't have any set targets at the moment. However, my dream is to perform on different stages and experience the joy of connecting with my audience and fellow artists through my performances.
HIGHLIGHTS:
1) First Position in Nrityangana, DTU
2) First Position in Abhinaya, JMC
3) First Position in Aangikam, ARSD
4) First Prize in Hunar- Inter-University National Youth Festival by AII, Punjab Agricultural University
(Gold Medal felicitated by Vice Chancellor of University of Delhi)
5) Second Prize in Aradhi, JDMC
6) Second Prize in Odyssey, IITD
7) Second Prize in Nrityanjali, Dyal Singh College
8) Second Prize in Nartanam, Dyal Singh College
9) Third Prize in Rang Tarang- Inter University North West Zone Youth Festival, Maharshi Dayanand
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