Australia: Arundhati Banerjee hopes to drive change in society through her dance

Anything is possible if one strives for it and is passionate about the journey, says Arundhati Banerjee, a budding young dancer. Despite the grueling schedule that life as a student in secondary school brings with it, 16-year-old, Arundhati has made the time to follow her passion. She is an Artreprenuer and founder member of AIDA- Bharatanatyam, a dance academy in South Australia, imparting training in Indian classical, contemporary and folk forms.

A resident of South Australia but an Indian by birth, Arundhati has been selected to represent South Australia as a National Finalist in Miss Diamond Australia 2019 in Brisbane.

AIDA's Lead Performer - Arundhati Banerjee blessed by Vidwan Padmashree and Grammy Award Winner Vikku Vinayakram at OZ Asia Festival 2018. A blissful evening felt by all of us at AIDA-Bharatanatyaved watching the divine and soulful performance of Vidwan Vikku Vinayakram and troupe.

As a part of her pageantry journey, she supports the institution ‘emotions 21’, a non-profit that provides an Australian-first, evidence-based, innovative dance and fitness programs for children and young adults with Down syndrome. “My mantra is dance is for everybody as it is an integration of mind, body, and soul,” she says.

Arundhati trained in Indian classical dance form Bharatanatyam under the tutelage of renowned guru Padmashree Shobana Chandra Kumar, an actress, dancer, and choreographer in India. She is currently receiving her training in western forms of dance such as ballet, hip-hop, jazz, tap and contemporary and has completed National level certifications in dance. “I am also training in the art of emotions, the ancient text in dramaturgy and the instrument nattuvangam,” she says.

Arundhati Banerjee Bharatanatyam

Arundhati has been bestowed with the membership of the prestigious International Dance Council-Partnered with UNESCO for the second consecutive year. She has won the coveted KAR Dance Competition and was invited to Hollywood. She has also won the Miss Glamourgenic-Talent Supreme Title in 2018 in Brisbane and was selected as the National Finalist-Face of Capezio. “I am also part of the Australian Girls’ Choir and had the honor of performing at the Adelaide Oval for a test match between Australia and England,” says Arundhati, who has choreographed and trained dancers for various events in Adelaide and interstate and won laurels that included festivals, competitions, and multicultural events. She has participated in the Oz Asia Festival, Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, and Minda’s Award ceremony.

Arundhati recently had the privilege of meeting the Honourable Minister for Environment and Water David Spiers in South Australia and discuss her production, charity work, and pageantry journey. “Dance is for the soul and for the betterment of the society and that is what I strive to do,” says Arundhati.

“I will be showcasing my production ‘Dancing Sutra’ this Fringe Season at the Marion Cultural Centre. Dancing Sutra is a dance ballet depicting the Story of the Eve around the theme “from darkness to light” integrating Indian classical, folk and western forms,” she says, adding that the proceeds from the show will go to emotions 21. __The Indian Sun