I have been learning Bharatanatyam dance in Shree Narayani Natyalaya under Guru Santhosh Kumar Thamang for the last four years. As a child, I was interested in dance and it was my father, who enrolled me in the dance school. In a way, I can say I was attracted to the dance by its lovely costume and jewellery. Also, my mother has always encouraged me to be strong in my dance basics. She also helps me in my studies.
During the pandemic, we had online classes. Now that we have a programme, we are practicing four days a week. At home, I don’t practice much, but when I come to class, I practice a lot. Among the dance items, I love presenting the Pushpanjali and Shiva Stuti.
~Soma Vidhigna, Class IV, Kendriya Vidyalaya, UoH
As a child, I would watch my pedaa nana and Guru Santhosh Kumar Thamang teach students dance and I would pick up those steps and beats, my mother and grand mother would notice it. Soon I was initiated into regular dance. Today, I can’t think of anything else but dance. In our dance class, we learn Talam and Music for an hour.
Whenever there are exams in school, I first finish my studies and then practice dance. I feel nice, while dancing. Along with my pedda nana, I have had the privilege of performing at Shilparamam and look forward to the group performance on the occasion of Children’s Day.
~Urvija Thamang, Class V, Vidyanjali High School
I have always been interested in music. My parents feel that every child should have one physical activity and one hobby. Apart from learning Hindustani music under Guru Harini Rao at Rageshree School of Music, I am learning the key board from Sameer Sir.
I love learning under Harini ma’am as she teaches the music in a very sweet way. And I seem to pick it very fast. In the evening, I also play Tennis for an hour. Also, I practice music daily, apart from going to music classes.
~Agastay Gupta, Class IV, Home School
I started learning Hindustani Music from Guru Harini ma’am since the past one year online. I love my ma’am and she sings very beautifully. My mother put me into Hindustani music so that I would sing Gurbani. I am also learning Shabad online. I have learnt most of the Bandishes on several Gods.
My father wants me to become a musician and great singer. When I sing at small gatherings people shower me with praises. I practice daily for an hour and ma’am sends me voice notes to learn and practice. I would like to take music exams and play and sing with the Dilruba. I will be singing at the Gurudwara in Secunderabad for Guru Nanak Jayanthi celebrations.
~Kirat Kaur, Class III, Chirec International School
I have been learning Music under Harini ma’am for the last three years, while my brother Harshvardhan has been learning music for the last five years. I started learning music only after watching my brother sing. Along with my brother, we have sung at functions at home and programmes organised by ma’am.
As our family comes from Maharashtra, choosing to learn Hindustani music was easy. Nowadays my mother is also learning music.
~Yash Sachin Kulkarni, Jubilee Hills Public School
Initially I started learning music under a Guru in 2016, but in 2018, I shifted to Guru Harini Rao ma’am and I am very happy to learn Hindustani music under her. As our ancestors are from Maharashtra, my parents enrolled me in Hindustani music as they felt it had largely evolved. Guru Harini ma’am creates a natural learning atmosphere. She is very calm and teaches with love. Learning music is helpful. In case there is any difficulty in learning, ma’am explains and it becomes easy.
Since 2018, I am also learning Kathak under Guru, Yogini Kanika. I never miss my music or dance class and according to my ma’am, I catch my beats perfectly. Also, I am learning Harmonium under Tanmay Devasakhe sir. I practice music & dance one hour daily. From 4pm-5pm music and 6pm-7pm Kathak.
My mother helps me in my studies and she recently helped me when we had to come up with a music video.
~Stuti Bilgi, Class V, Gaudium International School
I have been learning Kuchipudi dance under Anusha Srinivas ma’am, at Srinidhi Arts Academy for the past five years. My mother Prasanna Lakshmi was interested that I learn Kuchipudi. My mother says that as a child I would tap my feet if I saw or heard any song. I enjoy dancing and feel very excited to learn dance. After ma’am teaches a step, I come back home and practice it till I feel I have perfected it and next day correct it if ma’am points out any mistakes.
I like my ma’am’s teaching style. She takes three classes per week. One day of the week, she revises what she has told earlier and then another day, she teaches new steps and gives us time to perfect the step. As we practice, we also sing along. My cousin sister Karnika is also learning dance, when we meet, sometimes we exercise together and perform on a song. I have performed in temples. To go along with dance, I am learning Carnatic music under Guru Praveen.
~Gynapika Sri Lalitha, Class V,
Gowthami Vidya Kshetra
I have been learning Kuchipudi dance under Anusha Srinivas ma’am, at Srinidhi Arts Academy for the past five years. My mother Prasanna Lakshmi was interested that I learn Kuchipudi. My mother says that as a child I would tap my feet if I saw or heard any song. I enjoy dancing and feel very excited to learn dance. After ma’am teaches a step, I come back home and practice it till I feel I have perfected it and next day correct it if ma’am points out any mistakes.
I like my ma’am’s teaching style. She takes three classes per week. One day of the week, she revises what she has told earlier and then another day, she teaches new steps and gives us time to perfect the step. As we practice, we also sing along. My cousin sister Karnika is also learning dance, when we meet, sometimes we exercise together and perform on a song. I have performed in temples. To go along with dance, I am learning Carnatic music under Guru Praveen.
~Gynapika Sri Lalitha, Class V, Gowthami Vidya Kshetra
My mother initiated me into Bharatanatyam dance classes under Guru Sundari Ravichandra at R K Institute. I have been learning dance for the last four-and-a-half-years. At the Academy, I attend classes, twice a week and practice daily for two hours. I love to dance to ‘Bho Shambho …’. My mom tells me that since a child, I was interested in dance and she requested ma’am, to allow me to sit in the class for two days and let me observe. Thanks to God, noticing my interest in dance, ma’am agreed to teach me dance.
By the blessings of my Guru, I have been giving performances for the last two-and-a-half-years. I love to learn all details of the Mudra and why the specific way. My mom helps me to practice dance and takes me to the class. When schools are there, she helps me in my studies too.
~Lakshmi Sathvika Dendukuri, Class IV, Bhavan’s Sri Ramakrishna Vidyalaya
Thanks to my mother and Guru, Sundari Ravichandra, I picked up dance steps since I was a toddler. I am told that when I was 18 months old, I could perform a Pushpanjali. I am privileged to learn dance under my mother, since the age of four years, but she doesn’t show any favouritism. She gives equal chance to all her students. I am excited to perform in Srisailam on November 16 along with my friend Lakshmi Sathwika. My favourite dance piece is on Lord Shiva, Shambo Siva Shambho.
I am also fortunate to observe and learn, when my mother teaches the senior students. I have dance class at 7pm and I practice one hour daily any item that I have learnt. After coming back from school, I finish my homework and studies and then learn dance.
~Advika Kashetti, Class VII, Bhavan’s Sri Ramakrishna Vidyalaya
I have been learning dance under Guru Chandra Sekhar since the last one-and-a-half-years. My mother says that since I turned one, I showed interest in dance. After I return from the dance school, I am eager to share with my mother what and how Sir taught. She listens to me and appreciates my performance. I never skip my dance practice. I love to perform to ‘Nago mommu …’
My mother has set my schedule for studies and dance and she is always ready to help and support me.
~K Surabhi, Class I, Johnson Grammar School
After watching my sister Shruthi perform, I too wanted to learn dance and I requested my mom to enrol me in the dance class. I have been learning dance for the last four years and have given five performances till now. I practice one hour daily and Sir Chandra Sekhar garu takes three classes a week of two hours each. My sister also helps me in perfecting my steps. I love to dance on the song “Paluke Bangaram Ayanna …’.
I am also learning verses of Bhagavad-Gita from my grandmother, Soundarya Lahiri from mother and Krishna Shtakam from an aunty in the neighbourhood.
~Hasanti Krishna Bhagavatulu, Class IV, St. Joseph’s School
I have been learning Kuchipudi dance under Maddali Soundarya Kaushik at Nrutya Kinnera, Habsiguda branch, for the last four years. I watched a classical dance in school and I would keep doing the step always. My father noticing this asked me if I wanted to learn dance. It was then that my father enrolled me in Guru Soundarya’s class. I practice dance every day for one hour. We have two classes per week consisting of three hours daily.
I like the way, Soundarya ma’am teaches us dance. She explains to us in such a way that each one of us loves her class a lot. I like performing to the item, ‘Chakani Tali ki …’ . At home, my mother helps me to manage my academics and dance. I also hold a Black Belt in Taekwondo.
~Laasya Palsam, Class VI,
Johnson Grammar School
I have been learning Kuchipudi dance under Maddali Soundarya Kaushik at Nrutya Kinnera, Habsiguda branch, for the last four years. I watched a classical dance in school and I would keep doing the step always. My father noticing this asked me if I wanted to learn dance. It was then that my father enrolled me in Guru Soundarya’s class. I practice dance every day for one hour. We have two classes per week consisting of three hours daily.
I like the way, Soundarya ma’am teaches us dance. She explains to us in such a way that each one of us loves her class a lot. I like performing to the item, ‘Chakani Tali ki …’ . At home, my mother helps me to manage my academics and dance. I also hold a Black Belt in Taekwondo.
~Laasya Palsam, Class VI, Johnson Grammar School
I joined dance class after watching my sister Samhita performing. She has been my inspiration. I like dance now and have been learning for the last three years. I practice daily for two hours. My favourite song is on Lord Vishnu, ‘Sharanam Bhava …’
Apart from learning Kuchipudi dance, I love dancing to film songs too. My mother helps me in my studies and takes me for learning/ practicing dance.
~Manwita Sriramachandra Chittimuri, Class III, DPS
My friend Anandani’s mother told us about Kathak Guru Archana Misra and I enrolled to learn dance under her. I like the dance form and now I don’t want to learn any other dance. Archana ma’am takes two classes per week of one hour daily. In class, we learn the Bol and Taal and after ample practice in class, the same is perfected at home. I also shake my leg to film music.
When it comes to studies, my mother helps me out. I finish my studies first and then concentrate on my dance practice. I love the energy in Kathak dance.
~Shreya Shree, Class VI, IICT Zaheer MHS
Varna Arts Academy students and disciples of Gurus Smitha Madhav and Bhargavi Parameswaran, all aged below 11 years old perform at Shilparamam Madhapur for Children’s Day.
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