A pleasant sojourn through artistic revelry

Meet Vamika Tripathy, a class VI student of Apeejay School International, Panchsheel Park, whose testimony is filled with chapters of her achievements that not only inspire her cohorts but also contribute to the promotion and preservation of Indian classical dance traditions.

Nothing comes easy in life, any feat achieved is a result of extreme hard work, sacrifice and moving out of your comfort zone, a talisman Vamika Tripathy swears upon.

Studying in the Middle Years 1 Programme at Apeejay School International (ASI, Panchsheel Park), Vamika hogged the limelight during her recent performances at the Mamta Raut Dance Festival and the Ayappa Temple where she was also honoured with a certificate from her guru’s illustrious father, Padma Shri Mayadhar Raut, for her outstanding performance on December 25, 2023.

“I have been learning this art form since 2022 and I go to my classes weekly twice at Triveni Kala Sangam under the aegis of my guru Madhumita Rao. My performance at the temple on December 1, 2023, was the most overwhelming experience for me since it was the first ever time I was performing inside a temple. The whole temple was lit up with 1,000 diyas at that time and the entire scene was nothing short of breath-taking,” she gushes.

At the festival, Vamika showcased her graceful movements and intricate footwork, leaving the audience spellbound. Her performance at the Ayappa Temple was equally impressive, with her expressive facial expressions and fluid movements capturing the essence of the dance form.

“My inspiration is my whole family. I belong to a family of artists, my sister is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer and my mother is a trained classical singer,” Vamika shares. “To learn and hone yourself in any dance requires a lot of discipline so I am grateful to have imbibed such good virtues in my life owing to dance,” she added.

The young prodigy openly discussed her path, recognising the initial obstacles she encountered like discomfort and cramps in her hands and feet. Despite these early challenges, she currently views classical dance, particularly Odissi, as one of the most enriching journeys in her life. The opportunity to perform in the presence of maestros like Padma Shri Mayadhar Raut has profoundly influenced Vamika, characterising it as a ‘transformative experience.’

As she ambitiously targets both national and international stages, Vamika’s narrative becomes a wellspring of inspiration for budding artists, highlighting the transformative influence inherent in classical dance.

“I would also like to highlight that my school’s priority has always been the overall development of a student. Apeejay has encouraged me to pursue all my interests and pursue them to the hilt. The school also offered me that ideal stage and setting to mould myself flexibly in terms of wholesome education,” Vamika pointed out.