CHENNAI: She is the receipient of Yuvakala Bharathi Award and has a masters in Bharatanatyam and a PhD in dance history from the University of Madras. Swarnamalya Ganesh, a multi-faceted artist, actor and performer who has acted in various films across different languages shares her take on god and spirituality and miracles...
Have you always been a believer?
Yes, I was born and raised in a family where the idea of faith and god is a strong factor. So, there is no question of me choosing it.
Where do you see god?
It’s an X factor and that one power which you lean on when you know that your own reasoning fails or stops you at a point. When your logic stops, you want to bank on someone else, this faith helps us.
Do you believe in miracles?
Yes, I do, and that’s the reason I see miracles. Only if you believe in them you will see it. If you don’t, you will start rationalising everything as a mere coincidence.
A miracle that happened recently?
Well, I am a believer in all gods. I had to travel to Ajmer for a performance and was telling my friend that I wanted to visit the Ajmer Darga. A few days before I went to Ajmer, I was travelling to Thanjavur early morning and I saw a lorry in the opposite direction. It had these words written on it ‘Ajmer Kwaja’. That was out of the blue and to me that’s a miracle.
What would you ask if god appears in front of you?
A few years ago, I would have asked for many things, but now I would ask that everyone including me should do what is right. That’s very important.
There is a rise in godmen these days. What’s your take on that?
People are looking for others to guide them and everyone has a personal belief. If they are fake we need to avoid them. But again, for each it’s their own!
A pilgrimage site you’ve always wanted to visit?
I want to visit Yamunothri and Vaishno Devi temple. Though I have been to Kasi before, I have always wanted to dance on the banks of the Ganga.
What would you like to tell non-believers?
If you are able to sustain life without that extra support, bravo! I hope you are strong.