Bringing India's Culture To Global Stage: Nidhi And Neha Ramanathan

Nidhi and Neha Ramanathan grew up dancing together but it was their mother who really nudged them into the right direction. The Dubai-based sister duo are not just acing it as choreographers but are bringing their personal twist to dance classical forms, one performance at a time. Their recent performance as part of a dance face-off on the popular song 'Mere Dholna' has made waves globally, highlighting the enriching blend of Bharatanatyam and Kathak.

In 2013, the sisters had their Arangetram debut Bharatanatyam recital which set the stage for their journey in the field, and then there was no looking back.

In conversation with SheThePeople, Nidhi and Neha Ramanathan discuss their love for dancing, what goes behind their creativity, how they push boundaries for themselves, and what makes them a solid team. 

Nidhi and Neha Ramanathan Interview

What inspired you to take up dancing professionally?

We have always loved dancing as children. Our mother noticed our enthusiasm for dance and enrolled us in formal classes to learn about Bharatanatyam. Our love for Indian classical dance has just grown since then and has given us opportunities to perform at several platforms across Dubai and India, and online through our YouTube and Instagram pages. The joy of immersing ourselves in the art form and spreading our passion for dance with people all over the world inspires us to continue dancing. Dance truly creates a community that has no barriers irrespective of the culture and we love that about it.

What is the creative process like?

There is a lot of thought that goes behind identifying music, sometimes for a specific theme, festival or a track that complements dance movements well - shoutout to our family and friends who give us lots of suggestions. We then brainstorm for steps together by shouting out spontaneous movements that we can think of and combining our ideas. We also watch performances of various artists to gain inspiration on a varied range of movements.

Incorporating ideas from the people and places around us and combining them with our creativity gives us the best of both worlds.

How has social media impacted you professionally?

The ability to connect with people all over the world who share a similar passion for Indian-classical dance has empowered us to represent our Indian culture with so much pride. It has provided a limitless potential for all of us artists and the opportunity to showcase our beautiful Indian culture to the world. 

Social media has given us a platform to reach audiences we never thought was possible.

What are the kind of challenges you face as choreographers at a time when social media has taken over with a plethora of content just floating out there?

It is at times challenging to consistently create unique choreographies and a distinct style for ourselves amidst innumerable artists and dance content on social media. Consistency also includes regularly engaging with our audiences which can be difficult amongst other commitments. However, watching fresh content every day also tells us creativity is always alive and that inspires us.

Do you feel like the dynamics are evolving within the classical and regional dance industry in terms of outreach? 

While the richness in classical and our regional dances was unbounded in the earlier days it did not receive the support or recognition that it truly deserved. Digitalisation has amplified the awareness of regional dances and has cut through geographical and cultural barriers to reach a vast audience. It has opened up a world of possibilities for budding artists to explore the richness of classical dance. 

Who are the artists in the field who inspire you?

There are so many dancers that it is hard to name a few! Smt Rama and Smt Dakshina Vaidyanathan, Sri Parshwanath Upadhye and Smt Priyadarshini Govind are among the many dancers we look up to. 

How do you both channelise emotions into dance?

Dance gives us a channel to engage and immerse ourselves in it when we may feel overwhelmed. It definitely gives us the serotonin boost to face any challenges that come along!

How do you push boundaries for yourself?

Practising as regularly as possible and revisiting the basics of Bharatanatyam pushes us to strive for perfection in our movements. We also try to step out of our comfort zone, be it in terms of the difficulty of our choreography or a different genre of music.

What would you say had the most significant impact on your growth as dancers?

Our parents have been extremely encouraging in pushing us to become better dancers and supporting us through everything. Our gurus have taught us so much, not only about dance and striving for perfection but also about respecting the art form. We owe it to both of them for shaping us into the dancers we are today. It also comes from within to be better every time we dance, so we push ourselves to improve various aspects of our practice and form. 

Is there a project/ performance closest to your heart?

Our Arangetram debut Bharatanatyam recital in 2013 will always be special to us as it is a milestone that marks the beginning of an entire dance journey. Dancing together made it all the more special (and less tiring too;) Our favourite performance from our YouTube channel would have to be our choreography on Chandrachooda. Everything from costume to choreography just fell into place that we cannot resist going back and watching it.

What is your advice to aspiring dancers who wish to pursue classical dance forms?

We encourage everyone interested in Indian classical dance forms to pursue it with passion because it is not only an avenue to explore one’s creative interests but also a way to keep our Indian culture and heritage alive.

It is a matter of pride to share our beautiful culture with the world and investing in pursuing the art form contributes so much to it.

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