CHENNAI: She was only seven when she first picked up the salangai and walked into her dance class. Preethi Bhardwaj, born in Chennai and currently settled in Bengaluru, is a popular face in her area of expertise — Bharathanatyam. Having had formal training in the classical dance form for several years, Preethi has performed on various stages and has contributed immensely to the growing popularity of the dance form in the country. Preethi, who will be back in the city once again to steal the hearts of Chennaiites with her performance, talks to CE about her journey. Excerpts follow…
You have contributed greatly to the rising popularity of Bharatanatyam in India today and are a popular face in the field. Tell us about your journey?
Every artiste's journey is definitely ‘one of a kind’. Currently, I am working with students from different walks of life and that has been truly enriching. I witnessed a group performance by my gurus' ensemble Bharatanjali when I was seven and asked my mother if I could join Bharatanatyam classes. That was the time when I kept dropping in and out of painting, basketball and keyboard classes and so my mother asked me, “Indha class-um two months aa? (Is this also a two-month stint?)”. She found the answer for it later (chuckles).
You have proved the popular saying ‘Jack of all trades but master of none’ wrong and have actually mastered quite a few domains — music, acting, Indian contemporary dance and Nattuvangam to name a few. How do you manage all of these?
I started training for music when I was 4 under my father S Balasubramanyam, a veteran multi-percussionist, whose take on art is my main inspiration. I should thank my parents for taking me to that one dance concert which changed my life forever. Dance taught me what it is like to act, enact and react. I remind myself everyday to treat every field as it is — respect it's work ethics. There are days where I start with a Nattuvangam rehearsal, then go for a dubbing project and later practise Bhakti poetry in the evening.
As a performer, when do you feel content?
According to me, contentment lies in an artiste's ability to be consistent. During one of my Gurus' latest production on Saint Tyagaraja, I watched them unravel so magically and unwaveringly, that it gave me a different take on what contentment means to an artiste.
Who is your source of inspiration?
My parents and gurus, all the way. They are the magical weavers always draping me with their best threads. Every person I have come across in my life so far, has inspired me in one way or another.
What was it like performing at so many national and international stages like NH7 weekender, Bali international dance Festival, etc..?
The amount of adaptability an artiste is put through when he/she is a performer at different kinds of festivals is their most important learning. My friend and India's star Bharatanatyam dancer Parshwanath S Upadhye has played a major role in motivating me to perform at these stages.
Have you seen any changes in the art form along the years?
Two decades of dancing and I can say that changes are directly proportional to one another. If not, Bharata, the author of an artiste's holy book, The Natyashastra would have failed when he said “Do change with time oh fellow humans...” The most impactful change I have seen in the art form along the years is the emergence of a ‘cohesive nature’ that binds the art and its artistes.
What is that one thing that you would do as a performer to ensure this art form is preserved?
Teach, teach and teach... If not for sharing, an art cannot be retained as it is.
What would be your advice to the upcoming dancers?
“If you are chosen by it, you mean a lot to it”