Chennai: Ask any child what they want to pursue as their career, most would bluntly say either a profession from the medical field or the engineering field.
But 14-year-old Nethra said she wants to become an expert in farming. The multifaceted teenager who is a Bharatanatyam dancer and a budding actor spoke with News Today about her dreams and desire.
“I chose agriculture because the country is losing it. Across the nation, farmers are facing issues with regards to getting water, seeds and other necessities for the process. I wanted to become an expert who can sort them all out and make agriculture thrive,” said the lass.
The resident of Raagava Nagar at Madipakkam started learning Bharatanatyam at the age of seven. She has performed across the State, including at Natyanjali in Chidambaram, Thanjavur and Guruvayur.
Proving that she is full of surprises, Nethra said she was part of a world record event too. “In 2017, I attended a Guinness World Record event in which I was one among 6,000 dancers performing on the theme ‘Pasumai Puratchi’. Recently, I performed solely at Tamil Elakiya Peravai in Palavanthagal,” she said.
Nethra’s training regime is simple – train at her dance school, come home and train some more. During her free hours, the teenager practices acting in order to perform well during her
advertisement or film shoots.
“I do have a passion for acting. It all started when I was six, watching advertisements on television. I saw an advertisement and asked my mom whether can I come in that ad. Later she took me to that advertisement agency and gave me the opportunity to act in advertisements from then. Later, I got opportunities to act in short films and serials. I featured in the movie Junga as well,” she said.
Side roles are all good, but Nethra wanted to reach for the stars. “I recently played one of the lead roles in the movie ‘Sivaranjiniyum Innum Sila Pengalum‘ that is yet to hit screens. The movie has been recently nominated at Goteborg International Film Festival in Sweden, Pune International Film Festival and Bengaluru International Film Festival,” said the teen.
Asked how she balances her studies and on screen life, Nethra said she learnt to manage things from her parents.
Although she is excited about dancing and acting, her thoughts go back to farming once again. “Both dance and acting are good. I am going to continue doing it. But becoming an expert in agriculture is my dream. I will learn all three, stand out from the crowd and serve the society.”
“I got parents who understand me and fulfill my wishes. I want every parent to understand their child’s wish and support them in their own way,” said the teenager.
Contact Nethra’s parents at 92823 24859.