Dance, a creative art form that comes in many different genres, can bring different emotions to different people. For junior Sanjana Krish, taking part of classical Indian dance called Bharatanatyam, allows her to do just that. 

“My favorite part of Bharatanatyam is the expression and the preciseness,” Krish said. “I love the mythology you emerge yourself into and even non Hindus find themselves consumed in the intricate storyline and emotions that are necessary to recreate this event.”

Krish started dancing when she was nine years old, which is considered late, as most start when they are three to five years old. Her mom enrolled her in classes after experiencing a performance on a trip to India.

“I started after my cousin did a debut performance called Bharatanatyam Arangetram,” Krish said. “We went to India in 2012 and when I saw her performance I knew I wanted to participate in it.”

Although, dancing requires a lot of practice. Normally, Krish practices for at least thirty minutes each day. She performs her dances at temples for Hindu events, such as Rajarajeshwari which is a Saraswathi or Hindu goddess,  Pooja (devotional practice and prayer) for the last day of Davarathri a celebration of Devi, the almighty goddess.

“I perform at temples for auspicious Hindu occasions,” Krish said. “But other times I just perform as a form of prayer.”

As well as being a way to pray, Krish said that Bharatanatyam is the preservation of Indian and Hindu culture, which is not limited to just Indian and Hindu participation. 

“Though Bharatanatyam began as a form of prayer, it is an excellent form of expression,” Krish said. “If you are interested I encourage you to try it no matter your age, cultural background, or race.”

Krish plans on continuing dancing for the next few years and into college, with groups.

“I try to perform at least once or twice a month and I plan to continue dance into college with a group possibly,” Krish said. “For example, a Bharatanatyam group at UT [University of Texas] is Nritya Sangam.”