#realitiesofbharatanatyam , I was tired last night. I’ve had 7 performances , taken about 12 flights, some trains, 2 days journey by car, performed 4 different shows (this means that I have had to continuously rehearse 5 hrs worth of performance material), been in 9 different cities, taught 5 workshops and shot for 3 brand films, in the last 3 weeks. Im going to land in bangalore and go straight to set, to shoot for a music video that I’m working on.
Yes – I’m exhausted. But strangely enough- I’m alright. I’ve kept my training going so that I’m strong every show.
I’ve read two books to keep my mind alive… and I’m filling every spare moment with family time. I’m thankful for everything that I have… thankful for dance. But please remember that it is not as glamorous as it looks.
Someone asked me if I was innately talented. Like if I was inclined to dance from a young age. Yes I liked dancing. But “talent” I think in any field is a way of summing up millions of hours of practice… repetition… self assessment… critique..
I watch my videos after a show and rip them apart for mistakes – Every single show. While dancing, in performance , I’m supremely content. But once it is done, I watch to see what I can do better.
This is a ritual… to see what went wrong.. where… how… why? What more must I do?
It was lovely to be in Surat! Thanks to @taalgroupsurat for having me ♥️ truly a pleasure.
I tried my best to adapt to an audience that was seating in the round. Turning and changing choreography. 😊 I need to work on this a little bit more. It’s hard to do it at the spur of the moment. Hopefully it’s better the next time.
#bharatanatyam #indiandancer #dancerlife #dance #performer #dancer #culture #womensday
I saw a man this morning wearing his headphones and dancing in the park, oblivious to those around him. He seemed really happy. But many people walking by looked at him like he was strange.
It’s a funny thing that happiness, silliness and unfettered joy is only accepted when someone has had a drink. If someone is happy and dancing for no reason, they are looked at strangely. Not sure why we live in a society where one has to grow out of the simple human expression of joy of by the time they are teenagers.
I hope to live in a society where dancing and singing and twirling for no reason are completely acceptable behaviour one day. ♥️
Photo: @nithin_nandakumar from my shoot for the music video Neermukile. @unneeudayakumar
DOP @vivianambrose
Costumes: @manu_smrithim_design_factor
Stylist: @ms.z_mate
Make up: @makeupby_prarthana
#thoughts #innergrowth #journey #spirituality #findingoneself #happiness #joy #freedom #societalnorms #dancing #singing
I saw a man this morning wearing his headphones and dancing in the park, oblivious to those around him. He seemed really happy. But many people walking by looked at him like he was strange.
It’s a funny thing that happiness, silliness and unfettered joy is only accepted when someone has had a drink. If someone is happy and dancing for no reason, they are looked at strangely. Not sure why we live in a society where one has to grow out of the simple human expression of joy of by the time they are teenagers.
I hope to live in a society where dancing and singing and twirling for no reason are completely acceptable behaviour one day. ♥️
Photo: @nithin_nandakumar from my shoot for the music video Neermukile. @unneeudayakumar
DOP @vivianambrose
Costumes: @manu_smrithim_design_factor
Stylist: @ms.z_mate
Make up: @makeupby_prarthana
#thoughts #innergrowth #journey #spirituality #findingoneself #happiness #joy #freedom #societalnorms #dancing #singing
I saw a man this morning wearing his headphones and dancing in the park, oblivious to those around him. He seemed really happy. But many people walking by looked at him like he was strange.
It’s a funny thing that happiness, silliness and unfettered joy is only accepted when someone has had a drink. If someone is happy and dancing for no reason, they are looked at strangely. Not sure why we live in a society where one has to grow out of the simple human expression of joy of by the time they are teenagers.
I hope to live in a society where dancing and singing and twirling for no reason are completely acceptable behaviour one day. ♥️
Photo: @nithin_nandakumar from my shoot for the music video Neermukile. @unneeudayakumar
DOP @vivianambrose
Costumes: @manu_smrithim_design_factor
Stylist: @ms.z_mate
Make up: @makeupby_prarthana
#thoughts #innergrowth #journey #spirituality #findingoneself #happiness #joy #freedom #societalnorms #dancing #singing
I saw a man this morning wearing his headphones and dancing in the park, oblivious to those around him. He seemed really happy. But many people walking by looked at him like he was strange.
It’s a funny thing that happiness, silliness and unfettered joy is only accepted when someone has had a drink. If someone is happy and dancing for no reason, they are looked at strangely. Not sure why we live in a society where one has to grow out of the simple human expression of joy of by the time they are teenagers.
I hope to live in a society where dancing and singing and twirling for no reason are completely acceptable behaviour one day. ♥️
Photo: @nithin_nandakumar from my shoot for the music video Neermukile. @unneeudayakumar
DOP @vivianambrose
Costumes: @manu_smrithim_design_factor
Stylist: @ms.z_mate
Make up: @makeupby_prarthana
#thoughts #innergrowth #journey #spirituality #findingoneself #happiness #joy #freedom #societalnorms #dancing #singing
Looking for a delicious and healthy snack? Grab a handful of almonds daily!
#HolisticHealthWithAlmonds #health #fitness #almonds #paidpartnership #collab
Some dancing between shots … filming with @unneeudayakumar & @vivianambrose
For a music video
Make up: @makeupby_prarthana
Costume: @
#dancerlife #joy #bharatanatyam #indiandancer #justforfun
Back at Melkote after about 17 years! Can’t believe that it’s been that long. A throwback to one of my first dance songs in a movie. “Kana kangiren” , from Ananda Tandavam , was shot here in melkote.
Sorry I don’t really remember all the steps 😂 just a quick try between shooting for a music video with
@unneeudayakumar @vivianambrose
@makeupby_prarthana @sruthisailesh
#tamilgirl #kanakangiren #throwback #justforfun #dancerlife #dance
Day 44: #100daysofinnergrowth I’ve been trying to practise one of the most difficult things for myself….
I’ve been trying to stay silent in situations of conflict. Im not saying that one must never say anything at any point in time. But by staying silent, it gives me time to think and respond in a better way. Even if something is not a situation of conflict, staying silent has been allowing me to reevaluate whether my words are even necessary sometimes. It’s not easy for me… I’m just used to speaking my mind in almost all situations. But i realise that it is not necessary.
Not successful all the time. 😂
Photo: @nithin_nandakumar from my shoot for the music video Neermukile. @unneeudayakumar
DOP @vivianambrose
Costumes: Manu Madhavan
Stylist: Haseena T
Make up: @makeupby_prarthana
#thoughts #innergrowth #journey #spirituality #findingoneself
Day 44: #100daysofinnergrowth I’ve been trying to practise one of the most difficult things for myself….
I’ve been trying to stay silent in situations of conflict. Im not saying that one must never say anything at any point in time. But by staying silent, it gives me time to think and respond in a better way. Even if something is not a situation of conflict, staying silent has been allowing me to reevaluate whether my words are even necessary sometimes. It’s not easy for me… I’m just used to speaking my mind in almost all situations. But i realise that it is not necessary.
Not successful all the time. 😂
Photo: @nithin_nandakumar from my shoot for the music video Neermukile. @unneeudayakumar
DOP @vivianambrose
Costumes: Manu Madhavan
Stylist: Haseena T
Make up: @makeupby_prarthana
#thoughts #innergrowth #journey #spirituality #findingoneself
Day 44: #100daysofinnergrowth I’ve been trying to practise one of the most difficult things for myself….
I’ve been trying to stay silent in situations of conflict. Im not saying that one must never say anything at any point in time. But by staying silent, it gives me time to think and respond in a better way. Even if something is not a situation of conflict, staying silent has been allowing me to reevaluate whether my words are even necessary sometimes. It’s not easy for me… I’m just used to speaking my mind in almost all situations. But i realise that it is not necessary.
Not successful all the time. 😂
Photo: @nithin_nandakumar from my shoot for the music video Neermukile. @unneeudayakumar
DOP @vivianambrose
Costumes: Manu Madhavan
Stylist: Haseena T
Make up: @makeupby_prarthana
#thoughts #innergrowth #journey #spirituality #findingoneself
Whenever I have to take a long flight, I feel like I just want to stay home. But once I get there, the people make everything worthwhile. When an audience is moved, or when students have a genuine curiosity for learning, somehow those long hours on a flight and time away from home feels alright. I have the gift of dance, and through that I have the fortune of meeting wonderful people. So thankful for everyone who had me!
1 : eating a traditional Hungarian pastry. The best thing in that cold. #musttry
2/3/4 : looking at the sights in the castle district in Budapest with the lovely @eva_anjalidance and her husband.
5: post performance joys with @eva_anjalidance students. I’ve never come back on stage so many times for audience applause. Both exhilarating and humbling at once.
6 : students in Budapest. Too many to fit into a square post.
7: @prasanth_artist88 , his wife Yazhini and their lovely daughter who took care of me in Germany.
8: workshop in Germany, again too many students to fit into the square post 🙈
9: workshop in Amsterdam that @sawezer organised. I can’t believe I didn’t take a single picture with her 🙄 @indian.dance.europe she’s the best! ♥️
10: workshop in Amsterdam by the lovely Anna, at @yojigendojo
#dancerlife #travel #indiandance #bharatanatyam #bharatnatyam #classicalindiandancer
Whenever I have to take a long flight, I feel like I just want to stay home. But once I get there, the people make everything worthwhile. When an audience is moved, or when students have a genuine curiosity for learning, somehow those long hours on a flight and time away from home feels alright. I have the gift of dance, and through that I have the fortune of meeting wonderful people. So thankful for everyone who had me!
1 : eating a traditional Hungarian pastry. The best thing in that cold. #musttry
2/3/4 : looking at the sights in the castle district in Budapest with the lovely @eva_anjalidance and her husband.
5: post performance joys with @eva_anjalidance students. I’ve never come back on stage so many times for audience applause. Both exhilarating and humbling at once.
6 : students in Budapest. Too many to fit into a square post.
7: @prasanth_artist88 , his wife Yazhini and their lovely daughter who took care of me in Germany.
8: workshop in Germany, again too many students to fit into the square post 🙈
9: workshop in Amsterdam that @sawezer organised. I can’t believe I didn’t take a single picture with her 🙄 @indian.dance.europe she’s the best! ♥️
10: workshop in Amsterdam by the lovely Anna, at @yojigendojo
#dancerlife #travel #indiandance #bharatanatyam #bharatnatyam #classicalindiandancer
Whenever I have to take a long flight, I feel like I just want to stay home. But once I get there, the people make everything worthwhile. When an audience is moved, or when students have a genuine curiosity for learning, somehow those long hours on a flight and time away from home feels alright. I have the gift of dance, and through that I have the fortune of meeting wonderful people. So thankful for everyone who had me!
1 : eating a traditional Hungarian pastry. The best thing in that cold. #musttry
2/3/4 : looking at the sights in the castle district in Budapest with the lovely @eva_anjalidance and her husband.
5: post performance joys with @eva_anjalidance students. I’ve never come back on stage so many times for audience applause. Both exhilarating and humbling at once.
6 : students in Budapest. Too many to fit into a square post.
7: @prasanth_artist88 , his wife Yazhini and their lovely daughter who took care of me in Germany.
8: workshop in Germany, again too many students to fit into the square post 🙈
9: workshop in Amsterdam that @sawezer organised. I can’t believe I didn’t take a single picture with her 🙄 @indian.dance.europe she’s the best! ♥️
10: workshop in Amsterdam by the lovely Anna, at @yojigendojo
#dancerlife #travel #indiandance #bharatanatyam #bharatnatyam #classicalindiandancer
Whenever I have to take a long flight, I feel like I just want to stay home. But once I get there, the people make everything worthwhile. When an audience is moved, or when students have a genuine curiosity for learning, somehow those long hours on a flight and time away from home feels alright. I have the gift of dance, and through that I have the fortune of meeting wonderful people. So thankful for everyone who had me!
1 : eating a traditional Hungarian pastry. The best thing in that cold. #musttry
2/3/4 : looking at the sights in the castle district in Budapest with the lovely @eva_anjalidance and her husband.
5: post performance joys with @eva_anjalidance students. I’ve never come back on stage so many times for audience applause. Both exhilarating and humbling at once.
6 : students in Budapest. Too many to fit into a square post.
7: @prasanth_artist88 , his wife Yazhini and their lovely daughter who took care of me in Germany.
8: workshop in Germany, again too many students to fit into the square post 🙈
9: workshop in Amsterdam that @sawezer organised. I can’t believe I didn’t take a single picture with her 🙄 @indian.dance.europe she’s the best! ♥️
10: workshop in Amsterdam by the lovely Anna, at @yojigendojo
#dancerlife #travel #indiandance #bharatanatyam #bharatnatyam #classicalindiandancer
Whenever I have to take a long flight, I feel like I just want to stay home. But once I get there, the people make everything worthwhile. When an audience is moved, or when students have a genuine curiosity for learning, somehow those long hours on a flight and time away from home feels alright. I have the gift of dance, and through that I have the fortune of meeting wonderful people. So thankful for everyone who had me!
1 : eating a traditional Hungarian pastry. The best thing in that cold. #musttry
2/3/4 : looking at the sights in the castle district in Budapest with the lovely @eva_anjalidance and her husband.
5: post performance joys with @eva_anjalidance students. I’ve never come back on stage so many times for audience applause. Both exhilarating and humbling at once.
6 : students in Budapest. Too many to fit into a square post.
7: @prasanth_artist88 , his wife Yazhini and their lovely daughter who took care of me in Germany.
8: workshop in Germany, again too many students to fit into the square post 🙈
9: workshop in Amsterdam that @sawezer organised. I can’t believe I didn’t take a single picture with her 🙄 @indian.dance.europe she’s the best! ♥️
10: workshop in Amsterdam by the lovely Anna, at @yojigendojo
#dancerlife #travel #indiandance #bharatanatyam #bharatnatyam #classicalindiandancer
Zorro checking on me as a puppy. So gentle ♥️
We lost this little fellow when he was 8 months old. Our family was devastated. He was Kong’s brother and litter mate. Some German shepherds have heart conditions apparently, and we didn’t know until it was too late. I was watching some old videos of them as puppies and it’s so funny to see that just as we have distinct characteristics as children, puppies have them too. Zorro loved to be on people’s laps, but Kong hated it – Kong hates hugs even now. Zorro was watchful and alert, while Kong used to be in his own world. Kong needed Zorro and needed people. Zorro wanted us, but was also happy by himself.
We miss him…. For those of you who keep asking about the other dog… we lost him. I don’t like to keep posting or sharing about it. Hope that I don’t get any more questions about Zorro.
We miss him dearly.
Thank you all 🙏🏽
#germansheperd #lovemydog #puppylove #dogmom #mybestie
“Laughter is the best medicine”, people say. And I think I’d have to agree.
Don’t you always feel relief after a good amount of laughter?
Some still while shooting for Neermukile with @unneeudayakumar and @vivianambrose
Photo @photoluxphotography
#laughter #joy #dancerlife #shoot #bharatanatyam
Eating a handful of natural almonds daily always helps me stay fit and keeps my skin glowing. You should give it a try too.
#HolisticHealthWithAlmonds #health #fitness #almonds #paidpartnership #collab
Eating a handful of natural almonds daily always helps me stay fit and keeps my skin glowing. You should give it a try too.
#HolisticHealthWithAlmonds #health #fitness #almonds #paidpartnership #collab
Eating a handful of natural almonds daily always helps me stay fit and keeps my skin glowing. You should give it a try too.
#HolisticHealthWithAlmonds #health #fitness #almonds #paidpartnership #collab
Doing some posts on “the realities of being a Bharatanatyam dancer”. This is a weekly ritual for me. Dressing up and performing. I do it more than once a week sometimes…
Many people ask me why I wear minimalist jewellery- no jhumkas. Honestly, I love jhumkas, I got the biggest ones when I was a teenager, but I just cannot wear them for a 90 – 120 minute performances anymore. My ears bleed profusely and by the time they heal, I have to wear these heavy earrings again. Those of you who interact with me on a daily basis will know that I don’t wear any jewellery on most days. Not even tiny studs. On non- performance days, I just want to “be”.
If you are one of the people who wear jhumkas, especially the big ones… I don’t know how you do it. I wish that I could. I just can’t anymore. Maybe just for photos 🤣 I can.
More on #therealitiesofbharatanatyam soon 😁
I’m performance ready! And on the way to @taalgroupsurat
#bharatanatyam #dancerrealities #indiandancer #earrings #heavyjhumkas #jhumkas #templejewellery #bharatnatyam
Dancing being the skimmer while @vivianambrose works his magic…
#justforfun #dancerlife #shootday #lovemylife #bharatanatyam #karanas #happy #joyous #light #camera
Dawg & Me .
We’ve made a lot together the past few years…. Here’s to one more.
@vivianambrose
Photo @therock.sunil
#creative #friends #joy #films #dancer #dop
