What started your dance journey?
I remember my mother telling me that it was my aunt who first put me on stage. I was just four years old, dressed as a bride, while older children sang around me. Apparently, I had been fast asleep in my mom’s lap until it was time to go on stage—and I continued sleeping throughout the performance!
Later, at the age of nine, I signed up for a dance class at school—just a hobby class at the time. I had no idea what classical dance was. But after just one session, I knew this was something special. Although I was a shy child, I was never shy when it came to performing. There was an instant love for dance, and I remember my teachers often telling my mother, “Whatever happens, don’t stop her from dancing.”
Your favorite dance performance:
My first performance at the Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple in South India is something I will always cherish. That experience holds a special place in my heart, and I hope to perform on that stage again someday.
Favorite dancer:
The legendary South Indian Bharatanatyam dancer, Shobana. Her grace and presence have always inspired me.
Most memorable dance event you’ve participated in:
Performing at the Illuminate Arts Festival in Fredericton, New Brunswick on October 1, 2022, was incredibly special for me. It was my first performance postpartum, and my son was around 8 months old at the time. Having him there in the audience, even if he didn’t fully understand what was happening, made the moment deeply emotional and unforgettable. It felt like a beautiful return to the stage, not just as a dancer, but as a new mother finding her rhythm again. That memory will always be etched in my heart.
Favorite song to dance to (right now or of all time):
Thaye Yashoda. I’m still waiting for the day I get to perform this piece on stage—it’s a dream I’m holding close.
Where do you feel like dancing the most (Studio, Kitchen, Bedroom):
On stage, with an audience. Every performance gives me an energy rush and makes me eagerly look forward to the next one.
Your best dance partner:
Anyone who shares the same passion and joy for dance as I do.
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