Subverting tropes with every graceful movement, Sathya Sai Dance Academy's trans artistes gear up to mesmerise at the Conference
Published Dec 26, 2023 | 11:44 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 26, 2023 | 11:44 AM
The dance school was launched in June 2022 through the collaborative efforts of The Sri Sathya Sai Orphanage Trust and NGO Sahodaran. (Supplied)
Thaiyum tatta thaiyum thaha
Thai thai thith thith thai…
In a no-frills room in Aminjikarai, Shanmuga Sundaram, a distinguished Bharatanatyam artiste and senior pupil of the renowned Bharatanatyam mentor KJ Sarasa, guides a group of dancers through intricate adavus.
The room comes alive with the rhythmic movements of the dancers, each step synchronised with the syllables of the adavus, creating a visually captivating sequence.
In the dance studio, Sundaram, affectionately known as “Master” by his students, imparts precise instructions while carefully refining the posture of dancers.
“Keep practising. Approach it with the same dedication as preparing for a school exam,” he emphasises, accentuating the disciplined effort essential for achieving excellence in Bharatanatyam.
We find ourselves amid the rehearsal session of the students of Sri Sathya Sai Free Dance Academy, an exclusive dance school designed for members of the transgender community eager to explore the art form. Launched in June 2022 through the collaborative efforts of The Sri Sathya Sai Orphanage Trust and NGO Sahodaran, this academy represents a significant leap towards inclusivity.
The group is currently in intense preparation for their upcoming performance at the 41st edition of the Natya Kala Conference. (Supplied)
“This is a haven where we can truly embrace our authentic selves and dance to our heart’s content,” shares Karthik, a graduate with a BSc Diploma in hotel management.
Meanwhile, Vaishnavi captures our attention with her impressive body control during the rehearsal. The 30-something shares with South First, “Learning dance when we are older is not the easiest.”
“After intense rehearsals, my legs are usually wobbly, and my muscles are sore. It sometimes becomes hard to drive the auto,” she says, referring to her role as Tamil Nadu’s first transwoman auto driver.
However, despite the physical demands, Vaishnavi remains determined to master the art form and aspires to become a guru herself.
The group is currently in intense preparation for their upcoming performance at the 41st edition of the Natya Kala Conference, TranscenDance, an event envisioned and curated by Rama Vaidyanathan.
Initially, the academy had around 20 participants, but presently, Vaishnavi and Karthik are part of a dedicated ensemble of approximately 10 members who have consistently attended classes every Sunday over the last one and a half years.
Vaishnavi’s experiences, wisdom, and thoughts are infused with humour as she recounts, “I was just a regular person happily driving an auto. When I chanced upon this opportunity, I thought we would play a cassette, and I would just dance. Little did I know about the intricacies of the dance form!”
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Following a visit to RR Sabha with her guru, Sundaram, Vaishanvi gained insights into the live orchestra accompanying the dance performance, providing her with a deeper understanding of how the art form is performed.
Rose Venkatesan, known as India’s pioneering transgender TV talk show host, exudes confidence in her movements. In a particular performance piece, she skillfully embodies the character of Rama, displaying bhavas with finesse.
“Many trans women, including myself, share a keen interest in dance and Bharatanatyam, especially if we hail from Tamil Nadu. However, our journey often involves facing numerous challenges, which take its course during our twenties and late thirties. Throughout this period, we face criticism, eviction from our homes, societal rejection, and various forms of abuse, ridicule, harassment, and abandonment. Simply surviving becomes a monumental challenge for most of us,” she shares.
Balancing societal expectations with family dynamics becomes a crucial aspect as well. Fortunately, for Rose, when her struggles gradually eased, it allowed her to move on to the next step.
“When the opportunity to explore other aspects of life emerged, I reflected on the things I had missed out on. Learning dance became a possibility. So, with this opportunity, I embraced Bharatanatyam. Without this chance, I might not have taken that step and welcomed Bharatanatyam into my life,” she shares.
The dance class has not just provided the group with the opportunity to learn the age-old art form but has also enabled connections and camaraderie among its members. “We are like one big family. After class, we head to a nearby tea shop. It’s usually a time to relax and cool down with the master and the team. It’s a friendly and joyful atmosphere, filled with laughter. It’s a wonderful way to build friendships and a sense of community,” shares Rose.
“It allows us to forget our worries and completely be in the moment,” adds Karthik.
For Omana, the youngest in the class, this is a place where everyone offers respect, space, and mutual understanding, irrespective of age and experience. “They may be older than me but there’s no sense of age difference. It feels normal and enriching to be here,” expresses the diploma holder in hotel management.
The dance class has enabled connections and camaraderie among its members. (Supplied)
Coming from various walks of life and shaped by challenging experiences that have fortified them against societal pressures, each member contributes a distinctive set of life stories and a notable amount of determination. Nevertheless, it is the graceful and flowing movements of the dance form that serve as a unifying force among them.
Yet, it provides a unique experience for each person involved.
For individuals like Dr Selvi Santhosam, a physiotherapist at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital and one of the nation’s first transgenders to be employed in a government institution, engaging in Bharatanatyam provides a divine experience.
“Dancing has always been an interest of mine, even in childhood. Yet, I never anticipated forming such a deep, almost divine connection with dance. It demanded a considerable amount of introspection. Initially, when I sought to join classes, I encountered numerous rejections – sometimes from those from my community. Consequently, I focused on stabilising myself financially,” narrates Selvi.
Even as I aged in the process, I aspired to dance and find fulfilment in my later years. “That’s when this opportunity presented itself!” she enthusiastically shares.
Rekha, an HR professional, faced significant lung damage due to COVID-19, and now, she discovers solace and healing through dance. “This marks a paradigm shift for me. Covid affected me, impacting my lungs. Although I learned dance as a child, I didn’t remember the techniques. Fortunately, I found this space to relearn. Overcoming initial inhibitions with encouragement, I am now actively learning and dancing. We consider ourselves fortunate. As Selvi pointed out, we tend to forget the physical and mental stress we endure due to societal challenges when we enter a peaceful and divine state. And dancing brings great happiness,” she shares.
There’s evident admiration within the ensemble for each other and for their “Master,” Shanmuga Sundaram, who shares a similar story with them. Perhaps, it’s this shared experience that has brought them closer in such a short span. Sundaram, although interested in dancing, struggled to find the right avenues or support to pursue it. After facing several rejections, he eventually found his guru in Sarasa and commenced his career in dancing at the age of 21.
In April 2023, the ensemble was invited to perform at the Raj Bhavan. (Supplied)
“It’s almost as if life has come full circle,” he reflects. Sundaram utilises the guru-shishya parampara tradition to foster a holistic learning experience. His teaching methods ensure that students receive thorough instruction while considering their constraints. “Since many here are in their 30s, I understand the physical limitations they might face when learning at this age,” he shares.
This empathy has endeared his students to him. The confident words, “Master pathuparu (Master will take care),” and genuine gratitude are dominant themes in our conversation.
Vaishnavi and Vishali, an aeronautical engineering graduate, express their desire to pursue dancing full-time, aspiring to emulate their guru in the future. “We observe him and learn how to carry ourselves. His interactions with students, on stage, and with fellow artistes are all valuable learning experiences. And he is always grounded, despite his achievements,” they share.
“I too want to learn the art in its purest form and teach people from the trans community. Having a teacher from within the community will enable trans persons further,” says Vaishnavi, with Vishali confidently adding, “I want to do the same. And I am sure, we can achieve it.”
When asked what he has learned from his students, Sundaram ponders, “I am not sure what I have learned yet, but I am just happy that we share the same wavelength and are in sync,” he says.
Vaishnavi quickly adds, “I am sure he has learned Sagiputhanmai (Tolerance) after teaching us,” prompting laughter from the entire class. “We are all complete beginners with our own constraints and characters. He has been very patient with us,” she says, her words laced with adoration.
In April this year, the ensemble was invited to perform at the Raj Bhavan in Chennai. Their next performance will be at the Natya Kala Conference at the prestigious Krishna Gana Sabha stage. “We don’t know what’s a ‘big stage’. For us, the only goal is to learn and perform our best at any given stage. However, both these opportunities at big avenues only reiterate our confidence that our path will be defined and guided by the best,” shares Vaishnavi.
“I teach them dance history, about different venues, artistes, etc. They are slowly gaining awareness about the world of dancing. It also comes from observing and absorbing their environment. So, it’s a slow evolving process,” shares Sundaram.
Rose Venkatesan. (Supplied)
He shares their joy in participating in Natya Kala. “Being part of TranscenDance brings us immense delight. This platform signifies the first step towards recognising these performers as artistes. I hope it opens up more opportunities for them, offering the chance to even perform on global stages,” he expresses, gesturing towards the eager faces.
Rose, Vaishnavi, Omana, Karthik, Vishali, Selvi, and Rekha cast admiring looks at Sundaram, their eyes filled with contentment, as they wrap up rehearsals and prepare to head for their tea-team time.
Each one of them has faced numerous struggles, but now, with the right guidance, they feel a sense of fulfilment, and the opportunity to realise their dreams is within reach.
Genderless Dancing Body: Making Bharatanatyam a Part of the Lives of Transgender Persons will take place on 27 December, at 1.45 pm at the Natya Kala Conference in Krishna Gana Sabha, T Nagar. For passes, visit.
