Rachel and Deepa, the Prem Sisters, two KNS Sishyas visited Kalaaksharam’s BN classes on Aug 10th (before returning to US). There are some 25 to 30 students learning adavus, of which the top 7 were asked to perform, and the best was awarded. [Rachel Prem is featured in the header of this site; her arangetram in 2007 at age 11.]

Rachel Prem comments (16th Aug) It was such a blessing to see these young girls learning Bharatanatyam with such enthusiasm. The guru is very good to the girls, teaching them in a friendly, yet stern way, and awarding them with prizes for things such as perfect attendance. When I learned that the girls had only been learning for less than 4 months with no prior exposure to dance, I was shocked. They were very good! The concentration on their faces as they danced showed so much care for what they were doing. It was truly a wonderful thing to see. Aunty, your work has really paid off! Hopefully next time I’ll get to see even more students learning, and the tailoring and drawing classes as well.

Bharatanatyam classes were inaugurated by Anitha James, a primary sishya of KNS, Inc., March 2013