I always felt a connection to my cultural roots, but it wasn’t until I stepped into the world of Bharatanatyam that I truly began to understand and appreciate the depth of my heritage. Bharatanatyam is an Indian classical dance form which is heavily influenced and rooted from a myriad of traditions from the Hindu religion.

Each piece of the routine tells a story: the form of movement and expressions are what carries it along. The firm and intricate steps and the precise facial expressions display such deep emotion. Bharatanatyam helped me enjoy and discover more about who I am.

In my upbringing, I wasn’t initially interested in this dance form. The heavy commitment to attendance was tedious and the classes overall were a challenge. I also never had that spark that most prodigious child-dancers had. If there was one thing that really allured me into the dance, it had to be the performance. I loved the experience. From the way the stage lights illuminated the gold of my jewelry, to the way my costume dazzled for all to see.

The sweet-sounding instrumentals and vocals along with the roaring applause ignited me. The immense adrenaline I feel on that stage brings me a joy like no other. Beyond the spotlight, it always served as just an extracurricular activity. It was when I reached my 3rd or 4th year of dance that I truly felt passionate about it.

Bharatanatyam is just one of the many pieces to the puzzle that is my Indian identity. It uncovered and developed my love for my culture. It also forged a sense of belonging to my community. Seeing girls in their last years of high school doing their Arangetram, (which is a dance that marks a milestone of a dancer’s career), really invoked something in me. Of course, I felt sentimental, but I also felt eager to do that too. I am anticipating the moment when I get to perform Arangetram.

Besides its physically challenging qualities, (sharp moves and angles), Bharatanatyam is a spiritual art form, filled with all sorts of symbolism and philosophies from the Hindu religion, like stated before. Learning the steps while also learning the meanings and stories behind it helped elevate my adoration for my culture.

I’m currently in my 8th year of dance and I am still learning my own culture through means of self-expression. When I perform the stories of Gods and Deities, I carve that peace of love for myself. Each composition is crafted uniquely to fully tell the story of each and every one of them.

I feel such honor when I worship their presence in dance. To me, Bharatanatyam will always be more than just a classical dance form, it’s a part of my heart and my life.