My First Steps into Bharatanatyam: Discovering a Lifelong Passion

I didn’t know what classical dance was as a child, yet the moment I stepped into that classroom, I met my lifelong passion. I would be writing blogs on Indian classical dance, especially Bharatanatyam—so do follow for more content! Together, let’s unravel the beauty of our classical dance forms. I am still an art learner and seeker, and whatever I have learned, felt, and experienced, I want to share with you all. Looking back, as a child, I hardly knew anything about classical dance. Born into a typical middle-class Maharashtrian family, my parents had absolutely zero knowledge about classical dance.

Being the first-born daughter, I used to move spontaneously to any song that played. My family—even the neighbors in our chawl — encouraged me. By the time I was three, I could stand, walk, and dance with all the tantrums of a little child. My first performance was at the annual Satyanarayan Pooja in our chawl. The encouragement I received there was overwhelming, and that’s when my mother realized I had a special liking for dance. It took her three more years to find a proper dance class for me. When I turned six, she finally discovered a classical dance class held in our school premises. I still remember the day vividly. I wondered why my mother was taking me to school in the evening when I already attended it in the morning. But as we entered the classroom— no longer a classroom, but a space with benches pushed aside and girls dancing in the center—I was captivated. The teacher was guiding the students with “tai ya tai,” and I smiled back at my mother, curious and excited. While my mother spoke to the teacher about admissions, I couldn’t stop observing the other girls dancing. Before I knew it, passion hit me hard. I unknowingly started copying their movements, following them instinctively. In that very moment, I met my passion—I dived into the ocean of dance. That day marked my first true connection with Indian classical dance, a connection that would later turn into the essential rhythm of my life. Who would have imagined that this little spark of curiosity and mimicry would grow into a lifelong journey of Bharatanatyam? Dance has now become a part of who I am, a companion, a teacher, and a source of endless joy and learning. Stay in touch to know more about how my first steps were challenging, how I struggled to get things right, and whether I continued or left midway. There is so much more to explore on this journey—and I can’t wait to share it with you.

-Kalpita Rane