Millennials have a way of juggling their professional career and the commitment to art. They find the perfect balance between work and passion and at the same time find enough time for family.
Reshma George represents her generation to the core. She has never let her busy schedule as a technology professional affect her first love - classical dance. The acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer, who is also a former Miss Kerala, spoke to Onmanorama.
My mother, my guide
“I was raised in Kochi. My mother led me to the world of dance. Actually she was more smitten with dance than me. She was gratifying her passion for classical dance through me. I started learning dance when I was in the sixth standard. But I had no idea that I would pursue classical dance so seriously.”
Work, family, dance
“I studied for B. Tech and MBA in Kochi. I liked academics as I liked dance. My mother, Chitralekha, encouraged me to give equal attention to both. She is a home-maker.
My father, Lancy George, works with Goan Travels, a subsidiary of Dalmia Cements. Had they not supported me like this, I would have to drop either my career or my hobby.
Then I married Nivin Mathew and Nikitha came to our life. All of them stand by me. I could not have balanced my two worlds otherwise. It is not easy but you can hardly be stopped if you pursue something with all your heart.
Both me and my husband work with the TCS. So we have weekends off. I practice dance everyday because I have to perform for programmes. My mother accompanies me sometimes, when my husband takes care of the daughter. That is how we manage all these.”
Miss Kerala
“I never thought I would attend a beauty pageant. I just responded to a newspaper ad out of curiosity and I was called for grooming. Almost all other participants had been dreaming of taking part in the pageant. There were not many like me without any idea of it. I was there for the fun of it. Anyway I was selected the Miss Kerala in 2004.
The contest and the victory were both unexpected. Maybe that is the reason I never felt like capitalising on the title. Many of the other contestants were models or aspiring models.
Or they had cinema or compeering on their minds. I had no such plans. So I focused back on studies and dance after the contest. I did receive a few offers to act in movies but I refused to focus on my studies. Cinema never attracted me. You can't compare the satisfaction you get from dance.”
Great teachers
“My first dance teacher was Shyamala Surendran, who was also my neighbour. She belongs to the Kalakshetra school. She was trained by the great Dhananjayan. Great teachers are your greatest assets.
I was lucky in this regard. All my teachers viewed dance only as an art form. There was competition. We dedicated our bodies and minds to learn dancing. I had never participated in contests in school or college.
My teachers did not want me to contest. You need 20 to 30 minutes to complete a 'varnam' in Bharatanatyam. You hardly get 15 minutes when you participate in a contest.
You have to present an abridged version. We will have to learn so many items. Teachers of the Kalakshetra school usually do not entertain such methods. Naturally, I was never attracted to those forms.”
Debut at 16
“Usually 16 is considered too late to make your debut on stage. But my teachers told me that a debut is when you tell the world that you have become a dancer. Most of the debuts are made very early.
That may be done as part of a group. But, what you are supposed to do is to present seven to 10 items to the accompaniment of live orchestra. It could last for about two hours. If you follow the Kalakshetra school, you have to be well versed in dancing and you have to be patient enough.”
Unforgettable stages
“I was lucky to get a chance to take part in the Surya series. I can never forget that. That is a place for those who cherish art in its purest form. Even the audience share that passion. I will never forget the day I danced on that stage. The same with my debut. Dhananjayan and his dancer-wife Shantha Dhananjayan had come to watch my arangettam.
Though my mother nudged me to the world of dancing, it gradually became an integral part of my life. I wanted to continue with dancing. And there were so many people who encouraged me.
My friends, relatives and people I know will definitely ask me about my dancing whenever they met me. Dance became my identity. I was also inspired by the words of Nalini Chandran, a teacher with the Harisree Vidyanikethan in Thrissur.
She is one of the organisers of the Talam festival. I once performed in that festival. Later she told met not to drop dancing whatever happens.”
Born to dance
“There was a gap in my dancing life after my daughter was born. My return to dance was through a workshop conducted by Rama Vaidyanathan. She was teaching her own composition. That was an experience.
I had reached Bengaluru after I got a job through campus recruitment. The biggest achievement in Bengaluru was that workshop.
She is so beautiful while on stage. Even the movement of her eyes is so graceful. Her daughter is equally beautiful. They personify the beauty of the dance form.
I am also in awe of Priyadarshini Govind and Janaki Rangarajan. They all have their own unique styles. I have always felt that they were born to dance.”
Dreams
“I want to perform in various stages including Chidambaram and Konark. I like all venues which treat classical arts importantly. I want to dance at so many places. But Kochi is always special. I am happy to have returned to the place where it all began. I was transferred to Kochi.
I present the traditional ways of Bharatanatyam. I now train with Deepa Rao and Girija Raveendranath. There are so many dancers who experiment with classical dance.
I would like to do my part but I have no plans for now. There are a lot of tales to be told in the traditional school. I want to present them in their excellence.”
