Anupama Bhat, a belly dancer and second-year BA student from Christ University, Bangalore, dreams of popularising dance therapy in the city. “My biggest goal in life is to heal the hurt with dance,” states Anupama. She is doing BA triple majors in psychology, sociology and English literature.
When asked why she chose this unusual dance form, she says, “In many Middle East countries men were not permitted to entertain women. So, women belly dancers entertained their ilk. The grace and energy of it exhilarates me. The dance form has come a long way since then and I wanted to be a part of it. Swerving through continents, adopting new styles and costumes, the dance form has evolved with changing times.” Anupama happened to see one of her friend’s belly dance photograph and was motivated to learn the dance.
This 18-year-old enrolled for belly dance two years back at Payal’s Dance Academy in Bangalore. Anupama, who is inspired by pop icon Shakira, joined Isadora’s Muse, a city-based dance troupe in June this year. She performs in various dance competitions across the city and intercultural meets.
Anupama also practices freestyle contemporary, classical Bharathanatyam and break dance. “Learning never ends and dance is the best way to express myself,” says the budding star, who is planning to revive the dance culture in the city by bringing versatility on to the platter. She also loves psychology, and is planning to pursue a PG degree in the subject and hopefully come up with her own unique dance therapies.
— prithvirajssp@gmail.com