You wouldn’t expect a topper in college to choose dancing as a profession. It hardly makes sense, unless it is the love for the art form that takes centre-stage, leaving little space for anything else to do (or rather care for).
The same is the case with bharathanatyam dancer Ashwini Vishwanathan. The 32-year-old, who is trained in Kalakshetra bani, doesn’t have one but three postgraduate degrees to her credit, including a Masters in International Finance from Deakin University, Melbourne. So, it surprises us when she lets on with a smile, “Presently, I’m dancing and doing nothing else. Dance has always been and will always continue to be my passion.”
However, the dancer, who spoke to City Express on the sidelines of her solo bharathanatyam recital at RK Swamy Auditorium recently, admits that it is difficult to survive as a dancer in a country like India and that one must equip oneself with a profession other than dance. “Presently, I take dance classes for students. I work for Leela Samson’s Skanda Dance Company as well,” says Ashwini, who performs at the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana in the US every year. She explains, “That’s because dancing is not an economically-viable profession in India, especially in Chennai.” She has started an online-boutique as well, that has garments exclusively for ladies. “Being a woman, I love clothes. So, I just came up with this idea along with my friend. I hope it is received well,” the artiste adds. While, she might continue to look for alternative sources of income, Ashwini tells us strongly it is dance that has brought her to the level she is presently in. “I am greatly indebted to Jayanthi aunty for being such an amazing guru. For me, she is like a second mother, my guiding light. I am where I am because of her,” says the diploma holder in bharathanatyam from Kalai Kaveri University. “In fact, whatever decision I take, I ensure I consult with her,” she adds.
Ask her if she has any cherished moments with her guru, having trained under her for close to 26 years now, and she shares, “Around 15 years ago, I had won the Best Young Dancer Award (conferred by the Indian Fine Arts Society). I was extremely elated at that point of time to see Jayanthi aunty. She was perhaps the happiest woman on earth. It was a special moment for both of us.”
And apart from her guru is there someone whom she derives her inspiration from? “Leela Samson and Priyadarshini Govind,” responds Ashwini, whose favourite performance venue is Singapore.