We’re looking forward to introducing you to arnika Bhat and Maanvi and Dhadoti. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Varnika & Maanvi, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
We study, practice, and perform kathak, a classical dance from North India. The art form dates back to the 4th century B.C.E. and is characterized by dramatic storytelling, dynamic movement, percussive footwork, and swift pirouettes. Kathak also plays with challenging speeds and rhythmic patterns that add another layer to the art form’s complexity. As performers, we are trained to make everything look effortless, when in reality, it takes years of consistent hard work to reach a level of excellence. Most of us started when we were very young, around 5 or 6, and we have dedicated ourselves to kathak for over 10 years. And of course, we are constantly learning more and refining — that’s just part of being a performer.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We are the Leela Youth Dance Company, a pre-professional youth dance group studying and performing a dance form called kathak. Kathak is one of India’s eight classical dance forms and embodies India’s unique history, spirituality, and culture. As second-generation Indian-American kids, our hope is to share our rich culture with audiences in Los Angeles and create a platform for Indian classical arts in the US. As a youth company, our main focus is performing and sharing world-class kathak dance with our local communities across LA – in libraries, schools, parks, community festivals and more.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
One of our main influences throughout our dancing journey is our teacher Rukhmani Mehta, who we affectionately call ‘Didi’, meaning older sister in Hindi. Most of us in the youth company have been learning from her since the very beginning of our journey with kathak. From a young age, we were able to look towards her for guidance, not only in dance, but also in other aspects of maintaining our culture. Throughout most of our lives, she has acted as a constant pillar of support, someone we can count on no matter what. For us in the YC, Rukhmani Didi has helped us discover our inner strength and confidence and teaches us to advocate for ourselves. As someone who has been there for our best and most vulnerable moments, Rukhmani Didi always sees each of our strengths and weaknesses, pushing us beyond what we think are our limits and seeing potential where we ourselves could not.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
One of our earliest performances on a major stage was during our first year as a youth company, in December of 2021. After being selected for the Music Center’s 62nd Annual Holiday Celebration, we began preparing in anticipation. However, as the performance drew closer, our excitement quickly turned to fear. In the classroom, we felt safe to test our limits but we knew that on the stage, our smallest mistakes could be seen by the whole audience. The main reason behind our nerves was the fear of disappointing everyone- our teacher, parents and the audience- after months of training and hard work. On the day of the performance, all we could do was simply dance and face our fears. As we entered the stage, the pure joy of performing quickly replaced our fears. Through that performance and all the performances we have done, our fear of making mistakes on stage have faded.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
One cultural value that we cherish and respect is the guru-shishya parampara, the deep life-long bond between a student and their teacher. In kathak and all Indian classical art forms, your guru is your biggest supporter no matter what and guides you not just in your art, but in your whole life. A guru’s mentorship shows up in their student’s character, seen on stage through their confidence and self-expression. The tradition is often misunderstood as a hierarchical, outdated way of learning. What is less understood about the guru-shishya parampara is that, like any other significant relationship, it is based on mutual trust. The guru trusts the student to willingly accept their teachings and the student trusts the guru to fully pass on their wisdom. This thread of knowledge ties together generations of kathak dancers and artists.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What light inside you have you been dimming?
One light inside us that we have trouble maintaining is our passion and dedication for the dance. Most of us are in high school and are constantly pushed by our parents, community, and society to achieve academically and go to college. While we are passionate about our academic studies, we feel that our dance is just as important. We struggle with keeping a balance between our love for kathak and the pressure to excel in school. Oftentimes, society’s expectations can dim the creativity and expression of the soul. That’s why the youth company has been such an integral part of our growth – it acts as a space that nurtures our creativity and encourages artistic expression.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://leela.dance/youthcompany/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leelayouthdancecompany/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Leela-Los-Angeles/100064255232643/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIOsWsMYfJDNpZ5doo0gaYZGpPL8VNOW7
Image Credits
Robert Orsa
