Heera Meghna, youngest Kuchipudi dancer

What lies in the folds?

One might say the folds of the classic dance form, Kuchipudi, are gracious movements. However, each fold, costume and performance alike, is dance turned into poetry by the body. 13-year old Heera Meghna, the youngest Kuchipudi dancer in India and winner of Natya Manjeeram Award has brought this poetry alive through her many performances.

An only child, Heera took up dancing at the age of 5. Hailing from a traditional family, she is the only dancer. Heera’s grandmother and mother urged her to learn classical dance and through their encouragement she pursued a dream that has brought pride to her family.

Heera worked hard for learning Kuchipudi. “It is actually difficult to learn Kuchipudi especially the steps and the style. I am learning it since childhood so it helped me to follow those steps and style (mudralu). My first Guru is Pasumarthi Seshu Babu after that changed from time to time,” said Heera.

Heera who has performed about twenty to thirty shows has won half a dozen awards. She recalls her first performance, which was during a ‘Cultural Fest’ on the eve of Republic Day, at Indra Priya Darshini Public Garden. At the age of 10, she was called by the L&T-metro rail chief for an inaugural function, were she performed.

Apart from dancing, she has also been a part of a Telugu movie ‘Jhalak’. In addition, she has a sound knowledge of playing keyboard, veena and practice vocals. At the age of 6, she had started learning carnatic music and also performed several programs.

Heera’s talents are many. And, so are her dreams. “I want to become a dancer, doctor and singer,” she said. Her main goal is to make awareness of Kuchipudi worldwide and she is planning to perform in different countries.

By M Rashmi