Music/dance/law
It's not often that one has several options as exciting as a career in music, dance or law for one at the age of 19. But that's what Smitha Madhav, a brilliant and energetic student of law has to go through now.
Born in Madurai, residing in Hyderabad but contemplating a shift to Chennai to take up fine arts in a full-fledged way, is this pretty girl, who is brilliant in her academic career as well. A fourth-year student of Osmania University's Law course, she is a college topper.
She was in Chennai to participate in the Dec-Jan music
fest. "I love the 'season', as they call it. Apart from enjoying my own performances before discerning audiences, I also love to attend as many programmes as I can,"
she said.
She began learning Carnatic music from the age of 3, and Bharatanatyam from the age of seven. Music and dance are like two eyes, as far as she is concerned.
Which one will she choose? "Both. I can't leave out one. Of course, dance is what I like best but music is equally dear to my heart. This season, I was happy to render a music concert at the Krishna Gana Sabha, and two dance programmes, one for the Brahma Gana Sabha and the other for Tyaga Brahma
Sabha.
"I will continue to work hard on my music and dance simultaneously, and I will strive to give performances in both categories."
She is a student of Rajeswari Sainath, an exponent of the Pandanallur style of Bharatanatyam. Her maiden dance programme was in 1995. Since then, she has been a regular performer in the dance circuit in India, besides some programmes in Australia, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Having successfully imbibed the guru's bani, a style of dance that combines the aspects of nritta (pure dance) with abhinaya (emotion). Her solo ballet 'Navasandhi' earned rave reviews.
From August 2002, Smitha has been conducting dance classes for over 30 students at the Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad centre of the Sruthilaya Kendra Natarajaalaya. The first batch of students from this centre have already performed their
Arangetram.
Smitha is being trained in Carnatic music by the Hyderabad Sisters, Lalitha and Haripriya. Endowed with a rich and mellifluous voice, Smitha is making a mark in the music circle as well. Annamayya Bhavamrutham - an album of Saint Annamayya's devotional songs - rendered by Smitha was brought out when she was just 15.
She will complete the Telugu University's six-year diploma programme in Carnatic vocal music in June 2005.
"I feel music and dance go together. A deep knowledge of one helps me in the other field as well. Therefore, I will continue to learn and perform in both disciplines, and hope to shine in both categories," says
Smitha.
She had also played the lead role of Sita in Dr M S Reddy's feature film Ramayanam, in 1997. The film, whose cast consisted entirely of children, went on to win the national award in the children's film category.
"I am waiting to complete the law course (in 2006). It is good to have the degree. Not that I intend to take up law as a career now. I can always take up practice later, if need be. My priority will be music and dance."
Are there enough opportunities in Hyderabad? "Not much, though Hyderabad is a very nice place. The opportunities for music and dance programmes are extremely few. We don't have a big audience like in Chennai. Nor do we have so many sabhas there. And there's nothing like the music season in Chennai."
So, do you intend to move to Chennai soon? "I have to, if I must take up music and dance as a career. I will probably move to Chennai after completing the law course in 2006."
That's good news for the lovers of fine arts in Chennai.
