Today we’d like to introduce you to Megha Rao.
Hi Megha, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I began studying Bharatnatyam when I was seven years old and have been practicing it ever since. My passion for the art form led me to focus on becoming a solo performer, and I went on to showcase my skills in numerous dance competitions and events throughout India. I received several state and national awards for my performances. I was even recognized as a graded Doordarshan Artist, similar to NPR’s recognition in the US.
After completing my Masters in Dance at Bangalore University, I moved to the US with my husband. While there weren’t many opportunities to perform in Northwest Arkansas, I could channel my passion into teaching and choreography. This opened up new opportunities for myself and my students at Dhirana Academy of Classical Dance to perform and allowed me to explore my creativity in choreography.
Today, I am proud to say that my reputation as a Bharatnatyam performer and teacher has grown significantly. Various organizations invite me to perform solo and group performances and conduct workshops and masterclasses. Dhirana Academy of Classical Dance has become a staple at various community and cultural events across the NWA region. I feel humbled by the support we have received from our community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey as a Bharatnatyam dancer was relatively smooth while I was in India, as the art form is widely known and appreciated, especially in South India. However, my experience in the US was quite different due to cultural differences, a need for more awareness about the art form, and the added responsibility of family without the support system of extended family. As I began teaching in the US, I quickly realized I needed more to train my small group of students. Instead, I needed to educate the larger community about the beauty and benefits of Bharatnatyam and inspire them to develop a love for the art form. I had to push myself to become a healthy competitor for my students, motivating them to improve and grow in their practice. I introduced storytelling into my curriculum to engage my students and the community. Many of my students had never heard the traditional stories often performed through Bharatnatyam, so incorporating storytelling helped them connect more deeply with the art form. Teaching in the US has been a rewarding experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my love of Bharatnatyam with a new audience.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My passion has been dancing all my life, a tremendous strength. I dance to forge the bridge between society and the ancient art form of Bharatanatyam by working towards inspiring, educating, and guiding community individuals. My artistic work culminates in storytelling, narration, and communicative movements. This establishes a connection with my mind, body, and soul that can’t be achieved in other circumstances. Therefore, improving myself is of utmost importance to me to transfer, preserve, and develop the creative process for the younger generation. As an accomplished and dedicated artist of Bharatanatyam, a celebrated Indian classical dance form, I have over 20 years of experience as a performer and teacher. I am a Graded Doordarshan Artist and currently serving on the Board of Directors of Downtown Bentonville Inc. In recognition of my contribution to the performing arts in Northwest Arkansas, I was recently awarded a grant by Artists 360, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance, to support my Dance production – ‘Baala – a Tale of Kanha.’
Since 1996 I have performed 1000+ dance performances across India and the US, some of them nationally significant events such as Nrityotsav-Mumbai, West Bengal Tourism Festival Calcutta, Pallavothsav Mysore, Navaraspur Utsav Bijapur, Hampi Utsav, India Fest – Little Rock, 21st TANA Conference St Louis, NAVIKA- Cincinnati, OH 12th & 14th American Natya Festival, St Louis. I have extended my creative journey in choreography, combining many Indian dance forms—uniquely conceptualized and choreographed productions like NAVARASA MARGAM, THE EXILED KING, ARDHANAREE, and BAALA-TALE OF KANHA.
I aim to bridge the gap between society and the classical art form by inspiring, educating, and guiding budding talent. As Artistic Director, I currently run the ‘Dhirana Academy of Classical Dance’ based in Bentonville, Arkansas, training over a hundred students in the US every year in Bharatanatyam. I also work with school districts and other organizations to bring Bharatanatyam to the community. I often collaborate with like-minded artists across different music and performing arts genres, expanding the vocabulary while staying true to the art form. So far, 7 of my students have completed their Arangetram – A maiden debut performance of 2-3 hours in length or a graduation from being a student to becoming a professional.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The following 5-10 years will be crucial in determining the future of Bharatnatyam and how it is perceived by society. With more and more artists exploring creative avenues using modern and sophisticated technologies, there is a tremendous opportunity for growth and innovation in the field. This development is truly amazing and has the potential to expand the reach of Bharatnatyam to new audiences across the globe.
However, as dancers experiment with modern themes and mix different art forms, there is a risk that the traditional stories with moral teachings and the essence of Bharatnatyam may be lost. Some artists feel that the traditional stories may need to be more relevant to modern audiences unfamiliar with the ancient culture and traditions behind the art form.
Bharatnatyam, as we know it today, is a polished version of what it was when our gurus first learned it. There is no right or wrong approach to this evolution and development of Bharatnatyam. As we continue to explore new ways of expression and artistic innovation, we must also strive to retain the essence of the art form, its training, ethics, and rules. However, we must ask ourselves how much of the traditional stories, moves, and teachings we want to retain and fight for.
Ultimately, the future of Bharatnatyam will depend on our ability to balance innovation with tradition while keeping the essence of the art form intact. Our artists and practitioners are responsible for ensuring that we continue to uphold the rich cultural heritage of Bharatnatyam for generations to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.meghaprao.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghaprao_dance/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/megharaodancer
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megha-rao-821b82236/
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@mskaks1
Image Credits
PC: Devang Thakor
