Immerging herself in the art of dance, junior Aishwarya Ravindran or also known as Aishu has dedicated her life in the performing arts of Indian dance and will go to India in June with her dance school . For the past five years, Ravindran’s style of dance represents the god of dance known as Bharatanatyam. This style has been passed down her family from generations and her sister is also known to participate in the same style of dance.

     “We believe Bharatantyam inspired us to dance,” Ravindran said. “When we dance, we perform and represent what he might have done for us.”

     Before having the privilege of going to India with her dance group, Ravindran had to perform her graduation dance called Arangetram last summer. It was her first big performance with 500 people present. Ravindran practiced for five to six hours every day to spark the excitement of the beauty and music of her arangetram.

     “I remember thinking before I stepped on stage was that this is my shot,” Ravindran said. “This is what all my hard work has paid for. I could feel the adrenaline rush through my veins as I looked to my dance teacher. I shot her a look of excitement and then danced for three hours.”

     For three years Ravindran has been with the Srutilaya dance school and will continue to stick with her goal in becoming a professional dancer. Ravindran learned Bharantanyam under her guru Madhusri Sethuraman, for three years.

    “She was like an aunt to me,” Ravindran said. “She helps me learn to express myself and also inspired me to teach other dancers about different styles of dance and how expressing can bring great satisfaction.”

     Ravindran has become close with her dance group and confides with her group to look for support and ways to improve uniqueness in her dance.

     “I honestly thought  what I felt that day is a onetime feeling, and that I should try and absorb all that fun and passion I had on my arangetram day and remember it, because there would be no way to capture those emotions,” Ravindran said. “I was wrong. I found myself feeling that same enthralling way on stage.”