Bharatnatyam prodigy lights learning lamp for poor

RAIPUR: For Bharatnatyam dancer

Sairi Rahangdale

, dance is not just about name, fame and money. The 13-year-old spends her entire earning from dance performances on providing books and uniforms to poor children living in the vicinity. She also teaches the nuances of the classical dance form to slum kids.

Sairi's parents noticed her developing interest in dance at a very young age and encouraged her to pursue Bharatnatyam. Over the years, she has performed in more than 200 programmes across India and bagged many awards, including Kalashree Award, Rohilkand Award, Panchratna Award and Nrityashree Award. Within state, she has also performed during

Chhattisgarh

Rajyotsav, Bhoramdev Mahatsov and Rajim Kumbh.

"As soon as she started earning money from stage performances, she expressed her desire to spend it on helping the poor children living in the vicinity. As parents, we supported her in this social cause," Sairi's mother

Meeta Rahangdale

told TOI.

Her father

Prakash Rahangdale

said, "My daughter could achieve this stature in Bharatnatyam as we encouraged her to follow her passion. We belong to a middle class family and we felt that happiness of our family lies in her satisfaction." Sairi, a Class 9 student of

Salem School

, said, "I always feel happy to share things with underprivileged. At the age of four, I started earning from dance performances and I share it with those who really need it."

On a small scale, the 13-year-old has recently started free dance training for slum children, who are interested in dance. "If I get a chance to give them opportunity to perform on stage, I would love to do so," she quipped. "I aspire to be a doctor as I think in this way I would be able to help the needy people. I wish to make an old age home so that neglected elderly can live a life of dignity there," she added.

Dhananjay Singh, a student living nearby, said that Sairi and her family helped him to buy books and school uniform. "I have four siblings and my father, a rickshaw puller, cannot support our education. We are able to meet our educational requirements with her help."

Sujath

and Vijay Netam, who attend free dance class run by the young Bharatnatyam dancer, said that she taught them the basics. "We have also performed in a small stage show with her. We both are passionate about dance and wish to make our career in this field. We can't afford to go for professional training so we have started learning from Sairi."