Creative Arts, Publication and Sports
Bharatanatyam
I started learning Bharatanatyam at the age of 5. Initially, it was just about dressing up and dancing to music, but eventually, this classical dance form with its intricate movements, expressive storytelling, and rich history completely captivated me. As time passed it was much more than dance. It was a way to connect to my heritage and express the emotions that couldn’t be expressed in words.
I have dedicated countless hours in honing my Bharatanatyam skills for over 12 years now.
I completed my Arangetram (akin to Graduation) in early 2020. Hours of rigorous training were required to master the complex compositions for my first solo stage performance, lasting over 2 hours. The several hours spent in training to get every mudra (hand gesture) and adavu (steps) to perfection was a rewarding journey indeed.
I have also participated in various dance competitions and stage performances to showcase the beauty of Bharatnatyam. It reflects the rich cultural heritage of our country.The timeless beauty of Bharatnatyam is a celebration of India’s rich cultural heritage and an artistic odyssey.
I believe teaching and nurturing the next generation of young dancers is the best way to preserve our cultural heritage.
I have been fortunate to teach this beautiful dance form to enthusiastic young students as a tutor under the aegis of my dance school – Bharatnatya Kalalaya. Hopefully, this sets them off on their own path of cultural and artistic exploration.
Creative Writing
I still remember very clearly the first few words that I read, as words became pages and pages then became books. Small books, big books , fiction and non-fiction – there was hardly any genre I didn’t consume. It is my firm belief that my voracious reading during my formative years profoundly shaped me into the person I am today.
In this world of infinite creativity, I still find my inspiration to write – often to communicate an idea, sometimes to describe a process or just as a form of cathartic expression. As I put pen to paper the words often flew on their own accord and it all just seemed natural.
Over time, I have worked on my writing skills, and grown with every opportunity. Every opportunity was an opportunity to learn and become a better writer. The power of revision and the art of storytelling have been important learnings.
The ability to share my work with a wider audience has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my writing journey. It’s been really joyous to see some of my poems and write-ups published in publications.
Inspiration often comes when I don’t expect it, but maintaining the discipline of writing regularly has helped in keeping the creativity flowing. They could just be some fleeting thoughts and ideas but I have channelised those into tangible expressions through my writing. Whether in the form of articles, creative writing or opinion pieces or even school essays and assignments!
My writing has definitely been influenced by many authors and books. Reading insatiably has helped me to write with passion and in my own unique voice.
Journalism
Creative writing has helped my journalistic explorations. I have not only learned to write my journalistic pieces objectively but also made them interesting for the readers. While creative writing has been about giving flight to my imaginations, journalism has been about sticking to the facts and expressing opinions. Much different, but still the same at their core – communication!
By merging creative writing with journalism I have been able to pay greater attention to details and bring in versatility in my writing styles.
I have won awards such as Best Delegate in DAIMUN. I have won best reporter at Spring MUN and held the position of Deputy Press Head at DAIMUN .
Karate
I started learning Karate as a child and have polished my martial art skills and won various competitions organized by my Karate dojo (school) – Yudansha Kobujitsu Karate – Doh Federation . I took my first steps in my dojo with a white belt around my waist.
Learning Karate instilled a sense of discipline, respect and perseverance in me. It taught me to keep fighting, even after getting hit! Literally!
After years of learning the techniques through prcatice and dedication, continued efforts, sweat, tears and some bruises, I received my coveted “Brown 3” Belt.
I have realized that Karate is so much more than the color of the belt one wears; it is about building resilience, discipline, a continuous search for self-improvement and a pursuit for excellence.
Football
In 2019, I was a member of my school’s U 14 football team.
We were trained rigorously throughout the year.
The belief of our coaches and the support we received from the school and our peers developed a sense of camaraderie among us. We competed with very good teams from across the country and also faced a lot of high-pressure matches. In the end, our preparation and teamwork helped us achieve this remarkable victory at the ISSO National Games.
This experience taught me valuable life lessons in teamwork, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence.
Wild-Life
The pristine and lush natural world has always been very special to me. Since childhood, we have had many wildlife family holidays. I have really cherished these holidays exploring the green forests and admiring the beauty of the animal kingdom. The moment of sighting an elusive animal in its natural habitat cannot be described in words.
After a few wildlife holidays me and my dad decided to document our wildlife escapades. That’s when we started a YouTube channel @KarmaintheWild to feature our wildlife videos. Our encounters with various animals and birds including the elusive “Tiger” and “Leopard” in their full glory have created some amazing moments for us.
We wanted to share our experiences with all the nature enthusiasts through this channel. My love for animals goes beyond the wild. I am a proud owner of a furry friend, a lovely dog. With her around I have experienced the beauty of the animal kingdom every single day. Her companionship has brought me immense joy. The bond I share with her depitcts the amazing natural connection between human beings and the animal kingdom!