The Sathya Sai Nritya Academy, run by the Kerala-based Sri Sathya Sai Orphanage Trust in association with Sahodaran Foundation, plans to offer one-year free dance classes in Bharatanatyam.
The Sathya Sai Nritya Academy, run by the Kerala-based Sri Sathya Sai Orphanage Trust in association with Sahodaran Foundation, plans to offer one-year free dance classes in Bharatanatyam.
Five minute rendition by Vanitashri of Danceuse Rama dramatist The audience enthralled the audience at the inauguration of a dance academy for the transgender community in Chennai. The Sathya Sai Nritya Academy, run by the Kerala-based Sri Sathya Sai Orphanage Trust in association with Sahodaran Foundation, plans to offer one year free dance classes in Bharatanatyam.
Vanitha, a transwoman, says she was denied the opportunity to learn the arts simply because she was born as a man. “So many members of my community are facing a similar situation. A dance academy is a great opportunity for us to learn and express our talents and build a career,” says Vanitha who now regularly dances invocations at LGBTQIA+ community gatherings, government events and celebrations. She has also enrolled for the Masters program in Bharatanatyam at Tamil Nadu Dr J Jayalalithaa Music and Fine Arts College.
The dance academy also marks the organization’s entry into Tamil Nadu. “We started a dance school in Kochi last month. Thirty-six candidates are now learning from stalwarts like Gayatri Subramaniam and Gopika Verma. She has already completed four classes in traditional dance forms of Kerala like Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam,” says KN Anand Kumar, founder and executive director of the trust.
He further added, “They rarely get an opportunity to showcase their skills. After training, the group can form a dance troupe. They will be encouraged to perform in various programmes. Once they are well trained If they do, they can even teach dance. This will help them earn a living.”
Classes will start from June 10 at Anita Guha’s dance school in T Nagar. “We hope to start with 10 trans women who are passionate and determined,” says Sunil Menon, founder of Sahodaran Foundation, a Chennai-based NGO that works for LGBTQIA+ rights. “Our focus is on health, advocacy and human rights, and we work with the economically disadvantaged. We reach out to over 3000 people in Chennai to support their health needs. We have provided technical support and expertise to several support groups emerging across the state. They tied up with us to reach out to the community. Our role in the academy is to give them the real candidates. ,
Sunil says most trance members have a natural flair for dancing. “He loves to sing, dance and perform as it gives a break from his harsh life. When we watch something on TV, we repeat it without any formal education or discipline. We formed a cultural troupe where we did street plays to create awareness about TB, COVID-19, road safety. They will have income, but sporadic. Formal education in dance will give a big boost to the community.”