(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Priya Manoj is a dance teacher with a difference. She has dedicated her life to classical dancing and is now focusing on the influence of art on education and life.
"I was always passionate about dancing and started at the age of six," said the native from Malappuram district of Kerala. She was recently awarded Dr Abdul Kalam Smrithi Award in Abu Dhabi and won Kalathilakam title among numerous others in inter-school competitions in Kerala.
"I exactly know what it is like to be a student. I advise parents to let their children grow the way they want to. In Class X, my parents completely stopped my dance classes and it affected my studies. I performed poorly in exams. Again during my final year in college same thing happened. Restrictions always hamper young minds and their creative thinking."
Priya is based in Abu Dhabi for 15 years. "I used to teach at a private school as literature teacher but I quit my job in March 2016. I wanted to give more time and immerse myself in dance," said Priya, who is a trained dancer in Kalakshetra-style Bharatanatyam, Kalamandalam-style mohiniyattam and other classical dance forms.
She has done intensive training under many gurus at Kerala Kalamandalam, including Padma Shri Kshemavathy and Kalakshetra Haripadman. Priya wanted to share what she knew and loved, and in 2006 established Bharathanjali dance academy.
Elaborating on the dance-education-life connection, she said: "I am trying to learn more about mirror neuron. It's the basis of self-awareness. It plays key role in empathy and understanding. For those who dance, their right side of the brain is active when they emote and see another person experiencing an emotion. So, when there are restrictions imposed it adversely affects a child. If a child draws well and if his parents confine him, then it alters his mind and affects studies and thought process."
Dance is 'science' and Priya is trying to explore more areas of its impact on the human body.
"A college professor from Ernakulam district Dr Unnikrishnan is my guide. Dancing isn't time pass. It's part of our culture. Dancing is a habit. I feel closer to god through my dance. Once I was doing ganga avtaran at an event and it rained. It was a magical moment."
Now, she is coming out with a different concept. More than 20 of her disciples will perform Navarasamayan - a journey through the 'navarasas' of Hindu deity Krishna.
Priya is happily married to Manoj and mother to Mahesh. She gives training at Indian Social and Culture Centre Abu Dhabi, Kerala Social Centre and Malayalee Samajam. The performance will be held at the ISC on Friday evening.
Ashwani Kumar
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