Rajkumari Sharma Tankha
Born in Puttur, Karnataka, Bharatanatyam dancer Pavitra Bhatt was brought up in Mumbai. After schooling from Don Bosco School, he joined K J Somaiiya College of Arts and Commerce for B.Com after which he joined Amravati University for a Bachelor’s in Dance. He then did his Masters in Dance from Kalai Kaveri College, Tiruchirapalli. His father was an engineer and both his siblings are doctors, but he never faced any opposition from the family when he evinced interest in becoming a classical dancer. In fact, he got full family support for pursuing a dance career. Mid-February he was in Delhi for a performance at India International Centre. Life & More caught up with the talented dancer to know about his journey. Excerpts:
There are few men in Indian classical dance. How did you enter it?
My parents saw my love towards dance and enrolled me into a Bharatanatyam class under Vasantha teacher. My mom had learnt Carnatic Music for many years before marriage. So, I had complete support of my parents and there was never a no from any of them. In fact, they supported me everywhere be it taking to my rehearsals, finding best opportunities for me, finding stage, coming from a middle class family still never thinking of right spending for Arts.
Whom did you draw your inspiration to become a Bharatanatyam exponent?
I always feel my love towards dance just made my journey successful. It’s my greatest source of energy and inspiration, my life’s oxygen. The journey with dance learning was started by parents seeing my love towards dance and I just continued at the place I was enrolled. I was destined to learn Bharatanatyam.
How do you find Mumbai for the growth of a male classical dancer?
As a male dancer being in any city is little challenging but right time right kind of vision makes journey interesting and beautiful.
Who do you consider your idol?
There are many dancers who I see as my idol because every beautiful artist has so learning much to offer.
How many hours in a day do you do riyaz?
Two hours of physical riyaz. But being a teacher, choreographer and performing artist I spend almost the whole day with dance and wife being a dancer too we keep discussing on the same topic.
What are your other interests?
Reading books on spiritualism, watch documentaries and autobiographies.
Can a person in these times pursue this art form as a full time vocation?
Yes anybody can. With right vision and right moulding it is possible.
