Lalita Anand (right), with her guru Vaishnavi Sainath, preparing for the big day. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Lalita Anand, wife of Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand, is ready to do Bharatanatyam. arangetram At the age of 57. His performance will be presented by Vaishnavi Natya Kendra at Ravindra Bharati here on December 8.
A scholar with a PhD from IIT-Madras and an accomplished researcher in mathematical statistics, Lalita’s resumption of Bharatnatyam after decades of academic and personal commitments is as inspiring as it is unique.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of rehearsals before her big day, Lalita radiates a sense of calm. She shares that her performances are entirely inspired by the happiness she gets.
Lalita’s passion for Bharatanatyam began in her childhood when she trained under gurus Uma Rama Rao and Suvarnalatha at the Government Music and Dance School, Ramkote. However, his academic pursuits and the economic pressures of the 1990s led him to prioritize education and career over his art. After earning her PhD from IIT-Madras at the age of 40 and spending years as a researcher and teacher, she faced health challenges, including severe back pain, subsequent surgery, and taking medication for diabetes, which All became turning points in life. her life.
In 2021, Lalita decided to reverse her diabetes through fitness and a balanced lifestyle. “I hated the idea of running on a treadmill,” she recalls. Rejoining dance classes as cardio, Lalita soon realized her love for the art. “Serious dance was never part of my plan,” Lalita says with a smile.
“It all started when my husband and I were invited as chief guests for the performance of Rajeshwari and Vaishnavi Sainath. I was impressed to see the mother and daughter pair dancing in perfect harmony; It left a lasting impression on me. After the show, he suggested I consider dancing. It touched the heart and I thought, why not? The next day, I found myself at Vaishnavi Institute, ready to begin this exciting journey.”
fitness and freedom
Lalita Anand Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Recovery after surgery and overcoming physical challenges including diabetes management was a huge task. Lalita credits her devotion to hydrotherapy, disciplined diet and dance for her recovery and transformation. “Dance became my path to fitness and joy,” she says.
As his children grew up and domestic responsibilities diminished, he had the time and freedom to devote himself entirely to art.
Vaishnavi Sainath had initial apprehensions about how a top civil servant and the wife of a senior man would mix with the student group: “But from day one, she broke all those notions. Aunty Lalita was warm, friendly and eager to learn – she even asked six-year-old children to teach her postures with true respect and curiosity. Her humility set the tone for the class and emphasized that age or status does not matter.”
When Lalita was asked if she hoped to inspire others to pursue their passions regardless of age, she thoughtfully said: “I believe my life itself should carry that message. Does. At the age of 22 or 23, I didn’t face much struggle regarding my career choices. My husband and I were classmates at Nizam College, and were pursuing completely different goals. He was focused on clearing the Civil Services Examination while I was immersed in computers and statistics with aspirations of studying abroad. Mathematics and research were my world, and going abroad was a natural path for me. But life had other plans and we were in a relationship. When he passed civil services, I decided to stay back and support his journey. This was not a sacrifice, but a choice to spend our lives together doing our best on this shared path.
Lalita Anand Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Does she now need to balance her identity as an artiste with being the wife of a top civil servant? “There is no question of competitive identity,” laughs Lalita. “Dance is not about proving a point or declaring that I have ‘arrived.’ It’s a personal journey – a way to be healthy, express myself and celebrate the art. I’m in awe of the many incredible classical dancers out there and have great respect for their art. It’s my tribute to the performing arts. ”
From pedagogy to aesthetics
Reflecting on her dual identity as an academician and now an artiste, Lalita acknowledges the balance she has achieved. “Academically, I have done quite well. My research has been recognized at institutions like Harvard, but the joy of dance is different,” she explains.
Lalita’s arangetram Steeped in personal importance. A devoted follower of Lord Shiva, she will perform a specially choreographed varnam dedicated to the deity. Her guru, Vaishnavi, who teaches students aged 6 to 60, believes the key lies in the approach, not the challenge. She trains Lalita according to her maturity and physical abilities, highlighting her unique powers. “Lalita is not trying to dance like a teenager. She brings depth, grace and elegance to her life.”
published – December 07, 2024 08:13 am IST
