Having started to learn Bharatanatyam at the age of ten, Archana Mahesh, a resident of Radha Nagar, is now an accomplished dancer herself. In a chat with News Today, she shares her love for art and more.
“I was always passionate about classical dance. After completing my bachelors degree in Computer Science, I dropped out of MCA, and took up Master’s in Bharatanatyam, as I wanted to make a career in it. Luckily, my parents did not stop me from doing what I love’, she begins.
“I performed my first solo at Chrompet Cultural Academy in the year 2000 and my arangetram was in 2011,” she says, adding, ‘I have performed various pieces, including Egan Anegan from Thiruvaasagam, which talks about the greatness of Lord Shiva, Thrinethrodhbhava Kaali, which is how the Goddess incarnated from Lord Shiva’s third eye, Guru Nandhi Deva, that shows the life history of Lord Nandhi, and the like.”
The 40-year-old dancer, stating that she balances her personal and professional life, says, “My family is supportive. My husband is a person who gives me a lot of freedom and adjusts according to the situation. My daughter does not complain for anything and my mother is also helpful. I feel lucky to have such good people around me. I have not stopped learning the art form even now. I’m now training in Javali and Padam.”
Recalling a few memorable moments in her journey, she states, “I was performing the thematic drama- Egan Anegan in Thiruvarur and it was a sold out show. All of a sudden it started raining and to my surprise, people did not leave the hall. They were the loveliest audience I have ever had.”
Archana also notes that the number of dancers and rasikas has increased over the years, but they are split into a number of groups and that is why it looks like the audience base has decreased. So does she have any wish? “I have always wanted to perform ‘Raavaneshwaram’ that talks about positive side of Raavanan,” she signs off. She can be contacted at 98844 13883.