(October 24, 2023) In a world where words often fall short, dance emerges as a universal language of expression. Nidhi and Neha Ramanathan, two sisters based in UAE, have harnessed this enchanting art form to convey their profound love for Indian classical dance. Despite residing far from their homeland, these siblings have managed to maintain an unbreakable connection with their cultural roots. The dancers started their journey at a young age, and have not merely excelled as choreographers but have also added their distinctive flair to classical dance forms. With each performance they deliver, they leave an indelible mark on the global stage, captivating audiences from all corners of the world.
Nidhi and Neha Ramanathan
“Sometime back a friend of ours told us that a couple of her University friends showed her our video, telling her that they are our followers on Instagram. Even today, when people recognise us it feels quite surreal. We don’t consider ourselves famous,” laughs Nidhi, as the sisters connect with Global Indian over a call, adding, “For now, we are working to hit 100K subscribers on our YouTube channel. Also, we would to do performances in Dubai and Chennai, and start conducting workshops for people, who would like to learn Indian classical dance.”
Passionate dancers
Born in India, and growing up in Dubai, the sisters were always passionate about dancing. However, it was their mother’s unwavering support and encouragement that ignited their passion and steered them in the right direction. “As kids, we loved to dance. Our mom saw how much we enjoyed it and signed us up for Bharatanatyam classes. Ever since then, our love for Indian classical dance has only grown. We’ve had chances to perform in Dubai, India, and on our YouTube and Instagram pages. What keeps us going is the happiness we feel when we dance and share it with people all around the world. Dance is special because it brings people together, no matter where they’re from, and that’s something we really love about it,” shares Neha.
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The sisters received formal training from distinguished dancers, Sri Sasi Kottakkal in Dubai and Smt. Lavanya Sankar in India. After having performed on various stages, the dancers created their YouTube channel in June 2017 and started making and uploading videos on Bollywood songs, semi-classical dance, and fusion dance. Talking about the creative process, Nidhi says, “A lot goes behind the scenes. First and foremost, identifying the right music for our dance is a thoughtful process, often tied to specific themes, festivals, or finding the perfect track that syncs with our choreography. Our friends and family shower us with suggestions and ideas. We then discuss where we toss out spontaneous dance moves and fuse our creative concepts. We also delve into the mesmerising performances of various artists, drawing inspiration from a wide spectrum of dance movements.”
But it’s not all play for these dancers. “With so many talented artists and dance content online, it’s tough to make our choreography stand out. Also, finding time to connect with our audience regularly can be a struggle due to our other commitments. But, when we see new creative stuff every day, it reminds us that creativity is always around, and that keeps us motivated,” shared Nidhi, adding, “There are many artists who inspire us, including Smt. Rama, Smt. Dakshina Vaidyanathan, Sri Parshwanath Upadhye, and Smt. Priyadarshini Govind.”
Spreading their wings
The dancers, who also manage their academics along with their dance career, have found that dancing has not only been their passion but also a source of relaxation. “Whenever we are stressed with any academic work, or have an examination, we love to take out some time and practice. That really helps us unwind and re-focus on the task at hand,” shares Neha.
But it’s not just that. The dancers share that their art has also impacted their self-growth. Crediting their parents for their success, Neha adds, “Our parents have always been incredibly supportive, motivating us to become better dancers and standing by us through it all. Our gurus have imparted not just the art of dance and the pursuit of perfection but also instilled in us a deep respect for this art form. We owe them a great deal for molding us into the dancers we’ve become. Additionally, the drive to keep improving with each dance session comes from within, spurring us to refine different aspects of our practice and technique.”
Motivated to inspire many young dancers in India and abroad, Nidhi shares that the duo feels everyone should keep their artistic side alive – no matter how busy they are. “We urge anyone passionate about Indian classical dance forms to follow their enthusiasm. It’s not just a path for exploring creativity, but also a means of preserving our rich Indian culture and heritage,” she says.
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