A Life Shaped by Dance: My Journey with My Guru K.J. Sarasa

I arrived in Chennai from my hometown, Namakkal, at the age of 19 with a dream of learning dance. That dream became a reality only after two years of struggle. It was at the age of 21, in 1994, that I finally began my training under my guru K. J. Sarasa. My dance journey continued for eighteen years until her passing in January 2012.

Initially, she was reluctant to accept me as a student. I was a young man, had no recommendation from anyone, and she generally did not prefer teaching male students. She kept refusing, but after much effort and persistence, she finally agreed — though it seemed she had no other choice. That day remains one of the most significant moments of my life.

I must acknowledge that she admitted me to Sarasalaya without questioning my family background or where I came from. The only thing that mattered to her was my passion for the art. From morning till night, her dance school became my world. I had my breakfast and lunch at her house, and she personally guided my learning. Over the years, she encouraged me not only to dance but also to explore choreography, teaching, and study dance history.

Sri Shanmuga Sundaram

She would make me sit beside her on stage at various events, preparing me for performance. She firmly believed that a dancer could only refine their craft through stage experience and teaching. True to this philosophy, she gave me numerous opportunities to perform, helping me establish myself as a male dancer in the field.

But my learning extended far beyond dance itself. She instilled in me discipline, perseverance, and self-confidence. She often said that art should never be tainted by arrogance or pride — and she lived by those words. Even today, I uphold that principle and pass it on to my students.

I spent more time with my guru than I did with my own parents, observing her closely even after completing my training. I watched how she taught other students and choreographed her work. Her approach to teaching was deeply psychological — she understood each student’s strengths and tailored their training accordingly. She designed movements based on their body type, ensuring they performed at their best. I have adopted the same approach with my students.

Sri Shanmuga Sundaram with his GURU K.J.Sarasa

In dance concerts, she was meticulous in selecting melodies, ensuring that no two pieces resembled each other. Her vast musical knowledge shaped every aspect of her choreography. She often said, “Without music, there is no dance.”

She accepted dakshina from me only during my first month of training and refused to take it even on auspicious days like Vijayadashami. For my first performance, she gifted me a silk saree and personally sewed my costume. She cared for my artistic journey with the same dedication as she did for her own craft.

Her passing was an immeasurable loss — not just to me, but to the world of dance. To honour her memory, I organise the annual dance festival Sarasana Natya Mala as a tribute to the guru who nurtured and shaped me.

Though she is no longer with us, her name, her art, and her teachings continue to resonate in the world of dance. It is the duty of every disciple to preserve and pass on the artistic legacy entrusted to them. With my guru’s blessings and the grace of the divine, that legacy lives on.

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