Dance Kathe-by Hemant Kumar

I have been dancing since I was 12 yrs old. Lucky enough for me I have always danced for an audience, at small gatherings and family get together’. My siblings, friends, cousins, would put music on and ask me to dance. It was on one of the most popular songs of the movie, Kadalam, ‘Urvashi Urvashi…’ . This was my first dance inspiration and first dance ever.

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Gradually I started with performing at school.Once I vividly  remember  dancing as a hero in an Adivasi dance, others around me were dressed in leaves!Also danced for a piece as an invisible man, another time acted as a chair- prop!

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My holidays meant me working at an Agarbatti factory and sometimes visit my grandmother. Close to her house was Vijaya Film Institute and there would be people practicing dance, and I would go and watch them all the time. While on School trips, I would be made to dance on the bus too, all the encouragement always got to me. Later, we shifted to the city, this gave me good opportunity to go and visit dance classes, I would go there daily after school. Since I wasn’t allowed inside, I would stand at the window and watch, make friends with dancers.

Luckily the Dance master saw me and asked me to assist them for a show once, and there it started, I would go and assist the dancers for their shows, even when they didn’t call. Once the dance master used me as a prop, I was asked to stand for 20 seconds on the stage and exit.

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It was a break for me, I started with another show, which was a competition at Yelahanka, Snehitara koota, my happiness knew no bounds when we were  put in the front row to dance, but only later we realized our hands and faces were to be covered, we couldn’t even see. But we won, we managed the consolation prize.


untitled-15 I soon quit because of certain issues. There were some more to  combat,my family wasn’t happy, and so they wouldn’t allow me to join classes or help me monetarily, but my passion took over and I continued, as I was soon offered to dance with other classes. Here, they persuaded me to even dance and practice. Two of my seniors worked with me on my flexibility and warm ups, Raghu and Naveen helped me learn dance sequences and perform them. We did more than 400 stage programmes with them. During these times, it used to get  late for us to get back and we would actually end up walking  five kilometers back home.

Too many violations and we left as a group for good. Sai Arts International happened soon after that, since they were short of people we would join them f or many collaborations and shows. I remember once wearing elaborate costumes for a Bharatnatyam dance drama collaboration, under this banner. I started conducting classes for them, they had two branches, and would have to travel around 250 kilometers to Dhavangere, twice a week for the same.

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At one class, while rehearsing the front flip I lost balance, fell down and got a lower back hair line injury. This was grave, very seriously injured, I couldn’t move my body at all, and hence had to give up dancing for more than a year. I did resume back, as a freelance dancer for stage shows.

Meanwhile Rohan, called me in for auditions with Nritarutya. I was acquainted with their work since I had seen couple of their shows. I got through the auditions and my term with Indian Contemporary dance saw its dawn. Initially worked part time with the team for I was still working with Tata Indicom, my term with them ended and I joined here full time.

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It became a new experience for me to live,”different”. I was a Full time dancer. I dance now to my heart’s content, grow and learn every single moment to the fullest. Having done shows and choreographies and traveling with Nritarutya, to Dubai and Pakistan world performing arts festival, it has been an experience to live for ages.
In my family no one likes dancing … they feel there is no life in this.

To me it doesn’t matter if there is a future as bright as others in it, to me when one is dancing, he should be ready for both success and failure, what counts is commitment to the work, change is a persistent factor. Challenges are to be faced any way, you win some and lose some, but doesn’t mean that you don’t pursue them at all! I will and hence I have pursued dance here, for I am committed and shall always be to whatever I do, for now its Dance!

0 Comments

  • Raghu Dixit

    12th February 2010 at 7:01 am Reply

    Dear Hemanth,

    Your blog truly made a very touching read! It tugged me and I found it very inspiring. I hope God gives you all the strength, opportunities and success to pursue your dream. All the best! I am waiting for your next move!

    Cheers,

    Raghu.

  • Umesh Balavaradaraju Naidu

    12th February 2010 at 8:46 am Reply

    For me Hemanth is a true champion. I love his sincerity and hard work. The way he pushes himself to perfection is so amazing to watch. This guy does not recognize pain. He motivates me every other day at work. Highly gifted with creativity. He is an all rounder with superb attitude. Lovely writeup!

  • Namitha

    12th February 2010 at 10:20 am Reply

    Lovely write up Hemant! It touched my heart. The hardwork has paid u off and today, U r a wonderful dancer. Ur commitment shows each time u dance, be it on the stage or just the practice sessions in the studio. Wish u all the best!! God has blessed u with an amzing talent. I hope u achieve all your ambitions and I’m sure u will someday… Keep rocking!!

    Cheers,
    Namitha

  • Harsha

    12th February 2010 at 11:13 am Reply

    Hemanth,
    Truly inspirational….I suppose this is the real meaning of passion!! Congrats, its your proffession today….

  • Dhruti

    12th February 2010 at 9:27 pm Reply

    Loved it Hemanth!!! very inspiring and emotional!:)
    Way to go! keep it up…i am sure you will do always do well! 🙂

  • Geetha

    12th February 2010 at 10:33 pm Reply

    so sincere! just like all the works you do – love the article hem! 🙂 i hope god gives you enough and more blessings to achieve what you want to..

  • Madhuri

    13th February 2010 at 3:47 am Reply

    I had tears in my eyes when I read your blog. It made me realise that every second, every sleepless night, every injury, every problem that I have ever had in building this company is worth it, when I can support dancers like you!!! Every time I feel low or lose track of my vision, I will read your blog!!! All the best- keep dancing

  • devi

    13th February 2010 at 5:50 am Reply

    wow hem!!! very emotional! 🙂 im very proud of you.. 🙂 and i totally love the pics!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • Ashwin Mohan

    13th February 2010 at 7:56 am Reply

    Keep going Hemanth! You’re a rockstar! Your post reminded me of what my mother once told me: Obstacles are what we see when we take our eyes off the goal! 🙂

    All the best for your career in dance, I love your sincere attitude 🙂

  • Sandhya

    13th February 2010 at 12:21 pm Reply

    Hemanth:

    Speechless….. and truely inspiring!!! I am happy and proud to have shared few dance sessions with you. Keep it up and all the best. 🙂

  • manoj

    17th February 2010 at 7:42 am Reply

    sakath kanla maga… nritarutya is truly a silver linning for an artist like you… all the best…god bless

  • Rani

    17th February 2010 at 8:58 am Reply

    Dear Hemanth

    Thanks so much for sharing your life experience it is so moving & motivating i feel proud to know a person like you.It give everyone the strength to keep going.
    i feel everyone who has it all & still complain needs to read your story 🙂 may god always keep you motivated & happy 🙂 may you achieve everything you ever wanted in life 🙂

  • Sweekruth BP

    17th February 2010 at 9:00 am Reply

    Mr.Hemanth, all the best, as dancers each of us have a story to share…. end of the day we are doing what we love the most. Keep dancing. God bless you

  • Veena

    17th February 2010 at 9:36 am Reply

    Hey Hemanth,
    I really love the way you are such a keen learner. to dance on par with some of the best dancers of India is simply a great achievement. You have come a long way, walked a very difficult path… and now is your time to really take that leap and touch the sky… Learn.. grow.. and dance away!!!!
    Warm hug
    Veena

  • Geetha Ranganathan

    17th February 2010 at 8:57 pm Reply

    Beautiful write up Hem! Truly touching and inspiring. May God bless you with many more successfull years of dancing! 🙂

  • Suhas

    17th February 2010 at 11:17 pm Reply

    Dear Hemanth,

    Loved the sincerity in your writing. May the honesty always reflect in your (he)art. Keep up the moves…

    Suhas

  • sarita penagonde

    17th February 2010 at 11:20 pm Reply

    Thatz really amazing…..life is meant for achieving d things n u r doing it….i am very happy about that….wish u all the best for ur future……..

  • Radhika

    17th February 2010 at 11:23 pm Reply

    Hey Hemanth :)Your story is proof that when we truly love something God will in one way or the other help us realise our dreams.It is truly an inspiration… All the very best… Keep dancin along 🙂

  • Rachna

    17th February 2010 at 11:24 pm Reply

    Heyy Hem…. :):):););)
    Very well written…. Your story is truly inspiring.. :):) I hv always admired d way u have handled life n d obstacles dat u faced bcoz of ur dancin…ur a very strong person n an AMAZIN DANCER…truly.. n way beyond all dis, is the fact dat ur a “Lovely Person” too.. keep up d good work…Really very proud of u.. Wish you all the very best “Hema”.. ;);)

    Regards,
    Rach

    PS: BTW, d pics are amazing… hee hee….

  • shalini garg

    18th February 2010 at 6:49 am Reply

    hmm….really inspiring for all budding dancers!!!! kudos to you for your passion , courage n commitment so far!! it gives me immense encouragement to have such a hardworking soul like you amidst us!!! hope you reach d pinnacle of success in lyf n overcome all hurdles with d same compasssion!!
    all d best! 🙂

  • Nishanth

    18th February 2010 at 1:13 pm Reply

    Hello Hemanth
    I am happy that you have come a long way. You are a champ! I feel this is just a beginning, Go chase your dreams brother. Lastly, i thank you for inspiring me to chase my dreams.
    Cheers

  • Kim

    21st February 2010 at 11:45 pm Reply

    Browsing thru nrityarutya i came across this blog…I wish i had the same grit and passion… Its truly inspiraitonal 🙂
    Cheers !

  • Matangi

    6th March 2010 at 6:38 am Reply

    heyyyyyyyy 🙂 🙂

    truly very inspirin 🙂 i hope u remember me….. very very touched

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