Aparajita Patrachari (Germany)
I began my dance journey at the age of six under my guru, Smt. Rajee Narayan, fondly called ‘Aunty’ by her students. For over two decades, she was not only my teacher but also a constant presence in my life, shaping me in ways that went far beyond dance.
She was a strict disciplinarian, yet always kind. She taught us that discipline comes from respect for the art, the stage, the audience and ourselves. Her mastery over Bharatanatyam was unmatched! She could teach entire pieces with her abhinaya, that’s facial expression alone. Her greatest gift was her teaching; she ensured we were well-rehearsed and confident before we set foot on stage, instilling in us the value of preparation and the humility to keep learning.
Her guidance went beyond dance. She shared stories from Indian history, explained the meaning behind songs, taught life skills and even preserved traditional cooking through her special cooking classes. As her disciple, I experienced the deeper bond that exists in our tradition, where a guru is not merely an instructor, but a guide, mentor and second parent.
Even now, I carry her teachings with me across continents. Living in Berlin, I am inspired to promote our culture and have been invited to perform Bharatanatyam at various Indian community events. The admiration I receive for my expression, grace and dance skills is all thanks to Aunty’s patient guidance, which shaped me into the dancer I am today. Even now when I practice, her firm discipline comes to mind, which motivates me to do better, to make her proud.
I will continue celebrating her birthday every 19th August, for her memories, teachings and love shall always live on in the hearts of her students. She was the guru who taught us not just to dance, but to live with grace.
