Rooted through dance

A chance trip brought Ms Sitaravamma Sandrasegaren to Singapore in 1993.

The Indian classical dance teacher has since made the country her home, imparting valuable lessons in Indian arts, culture and traditions to hundreds of students and people of all races.

"My guru Seetharama Sharma (a noted Chennai-based nattuvangam exponent) was well respected in Singapore and used to perform regularly here," she said.

"One day, while I was performing in Japan, he called me and told me to come to Singapore as he wanted me to teach at the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS), an institution he was fond of. I immediately said yes, with the intention of trying it out."

Ms Sitaravamma, who was then married to Mauritius-based biology professor Jagannathan Chandrasegaran, joined SIFAS and spent 10 years teaching both local and foreign students.

"There were Indians, Chinese, Germans, Americans... more than 120 students I taught," she said. "I taught them kuchipudi and bharatanatyam.

"More than 30 of them performed their arangetram (the first time a dancer showcases her talent on stage after years of training).

"I loved it in Singapore. The local people were keen to learn about Indian arts, language and culture, and I had no problem as it was my forte.

"I would spend hours explaining Indian values and traditions to people of all ages. They wanted to learn good things, they wanted to get the best out of me. And I was happy to do that because I could see that they were sincere and hardworking."

Being a product of Chennai's famed Kalakshetra arts and cultural academy where she taught for 10 years after graduation, Ms Sitaravamma was well-versed in the nuances of Indian classical dance.

She had also performed in several countries in Europe and Asia.

"I could have continued as an adviser on cultural affairs to the Mauritius government, but I chose to be in Singapore," she said. "I love it as it is very cosmopolitan. There are no differences between people.

"I wanted to share my knowledge and the young and the old came to learn from me. I really enjoyed it."

She had a few friends at SIFAS who helped her settle down. Ms Sitaravamma also developed a close friendship with SIFAS committee member Rhama Sankaran, who guided her on how to sink roots and live the local way.

"I had no problems adjusting," said the dance teacher. "I am very adaptable, having toured different parts of the world with dance troupes. It was quite easy to meet people and develop friendships."

Ms Sitaravamma, who originally hails from Gundlapalli village in Andhra Pradesh, returned home in 2003 to look after her son, who was being brought up there by her family.

But the very next year she returned to Singapore and set up Kalapeetham, a school for dance initiated by her guru Seetharama Sharma.

"I taught Indian classical dances and folk dances at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple and later at the Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple," she said. "Several locals and foreigners came to me wanting to learn more.

"I even taught a group of ageing Singaporeans to enjoy dances and be flexible and happy.

"Dance has this great ability to bring people together. There is no religion involved. It is pure arts which sows unity and spreads love."

Nallapuraju Ananya, 17, who has been Ms Sitaravamma's student since age four, said that apart from dance, she has learnt how to lead a disciplined life from her teacher.

"I was straying away from my Indian culture and traditions, but guru Sita brought me to my senses," said the NUS High School student. "She taught me how to dress and behave.

"She has shown me why it is important to lead a structured life and be a better human being. I am fortunate to have guru Sita as my teacher."

Spa therapist Vivien Lai too has benefited immensely from her association with Ms Sitaravamma.

In 2014, at the age of 52, the Singaporean approached Ms Sitaravamma at the Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple to teach her bharatanatyam. And, on Sept 18, she successfully performed her arangetram at the SIFAS auditorium aged 60.

"She is a wonderful teacher," said Ms Vivien. "My movements were stiff due to my age. But she took me to another level.

"She is very open and teaches everyone what she knows. She does not hold back because I am a non-Indian. She has an aura about her and has lifted me spiritually."

Ms Sitaravamma treats Ms Vivien like her daughter and for the past four years the pair have been living together in an apartment.

In January this year, SIFAS approached Ms Sitaravamma to return to its new facilities at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial on Race Course Lane and she has been holding regular classes for about 40 students since then at the premises.

Yoga teacher Nithya Yoga Jnana Anantha, who previously went by the name Yip Kwai Leong, and his wife Kat Lee, a Zumba teacher, are now learning bharatanatyam from Ms Sitaravamma.

"Bharatanatyam is all about movements and filling the body with energy," Mr Anantha said. "It can do wonderful things to the emotions.

"What Guru Sita has taught me adds to my knowledge of yoga. I find myself relaxed and free of medical issues all the time and her lessons I am passing on to the hundreds of students I have in China."

Ms Kat said that Ms Sitaravamma teaches her bharatanatyam "step by step, in a very considerate way".

The Zumba teacher added: "Guru Sita makes it easy and simple for me. I am now confident performing on stage. It adds to my well being and makes me feel truly happy to be myself."

Ms Sitaravamma, 69, is happy that her efforts are well appreciated. The Permanent Resident wants to continue her work in Singapore after developing strong roots here.

Her only son Satyam Chandrasegaran, 40, is married to Singaporean Thivya Tharsini, head of department at the Raffles Girls' School, and the couple have a 10-month-old son Arjuna.

"My guru Rukmini Devi (Indian theosophist, dancer and choreographer) told me to be sincere and be a good teacher," said Ms Sitaravamma. "I am doing that and leading a contented life.

"I am not after money, I don't have millions. My only satisfaction is that I have been true to my art and taught many people here.

"Definitely SIFAS is my final destination. I will contribute all I can for the development of arts in Singapore till I physically can."

 santosh@sph.com.sg

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