Young Achiever: From passion to mastery; story of a young Bharatanatyam enthusiast

There is an adage: Inborn talent is the innate spark that ignites passion, propels mastery, and reveals the unique melody of one’s soul. Nurturing the innate and undiscovered talents of young minds is pivotal in holistic development. Schools like Apeejay Education not only provide a great academic curriculum to its students – be it the CBSE or IB – but they also give a platform to the students where they can showcase their talent.

Meet Diya Deepak Kurup, who at the tender age of just five, a prodigious child exemplifies the boundless potential that can be unlocked with encouragement and support. A student of senior KG at Apeejay School, Nerul, she has twice clinched victory in a school-level dance competition. This young achiever’s journey in the ancient and intricate art of Bharatanatyam is a testament to what children can accomplish. Their achievements underscore the importance of providing students with opportunities to explore and hone their talents. Such endeavours not only foster personal growth but also enrich their lives with a sense of purpose and joy.

In a candid interview, the mother, Manjusha Kurup, a dancer herself, talks about how her daughter got interested in dance, especially classical.

Kindly share details about the certificates your daughter received.

My daughter received two certificates at the Annual Appreciation Day (Pre-Primary) that was held recently. One was for securing the first position in a dance competition, and the other was for achieving third place in an English recitation competition.

Where was the dance competition held?

The dance competition took place at her school. They have an activity area where such events are organised. She has participated in dance competitions at her school before. She has always been keen on participating, especially in classical dance categories, and has been successful in winning awards. When she was in KG, she won the dance competition as well.

Has your daughter always been interested in dancing? How did she start?

Yes, she has. I noticed her interest in dancing when she was just two years old. As I am also a dancer, she grew up watching me dance, which sparked her interest. She naturally started imitating the movements and expressions on her own. That is when I realised that she has the potential. What I found truly amazing was that she was able to catch my expressions beautifully and replicate them with ease.

Do you dance professionally or teach dance?

Dancing is more of a hobby for me. I’m not a professional dancer nor do I teach dance professionally.

Is she learning a specific dance form?

She is learning Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form. She has a profound interest in classical dance. She was the one who came to me one day and said that she was interested in learning classical. We are lucky that there is an academy very near to where we stay. She goes there twice a week for an hour to learn the style. She has been learning Bharatanatyam for a year now.

 Dancing requires discipline and can be strenuous. How do you manage her routine and ensure she enjoys dancing?

I believe in a fun and flexible approach. We dance together for enjoyment rather than rigorous training. When she attends her structured dance classes, that’s where she learns discipline, such as maintaining proper posture and hand movements.

Is she planning to continue dancing?

She loves dancing and never seems to tire of it. She’s very enthusiastic about continuing to dance.