https://sputniknews.in/20240308/international-womens-day-meet-the-indian-dancer-making-waves-in-russian-ballet-6756813.html
International Women's Day: Meet The Indian Dancer Making Waves in Russian Ballet
International Women's Day: Meet The Indian Dancer Making Waves in Russian Ballet
Sputnik India
On International Women's Day, Sputnik India chats up with 34-year-old Indian ballet dancer Apeksha Bhattacharyya who defied all odds to pursue her passion for ballet.
2024-03-08T07:30+0530
2024-03-08T07:30+0530
2024-03-08T11:03+0530
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Apeksha Bhattacharya is a 34-year-old Indian ballet dancer who is defying gravity as she effortlessly lifts off the floor, spins gracefully in the air, and lands gently on her toes with much élan.At the age of 18, Bhattacharya's passion for ballet was ignited when her Filipino teacher introduced her to the captivating world of dance.For her, ballet is a powerful tool for the younger generation, especially for women, as it empowers them to achieve anything they want, both on and off-stage."Ballet has given us a very fresh perspective, knowing that we can inspire our younger generations to dream about becoming ballerinas and traveling the world to perform on stage. In the past, dance careers were very limited, but now we have a wide array of opportunities,” Bhattacharya told Sputnik India.Mastering Russian System of BalletDriven by her passion for ballet, Bhattacharya pursued training in Russia and other countries, eventually specializing in the Russian system of ballet.“I had to make my way to St. Petersburg and train under the Vaganova Academy teachers. I also have my certification from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, which is the biggest ballet school in Moscow,” she said.Bhattacharya's journey to become a professional ballet dancer was not an easy one, especially due to the language barrier she faced.“When I went to Russia 15 years back, I did not understand the language. I realized that to understand a culture of another country, the best way is to understand its language. Hence, I took a year off to learn Russian language. It has been quite a boon because I understood what the culture of ballet is in Russia. And it was so beautiful for me to see their perspective, after all, they have some of the best ballet schools in the world, she said.Bringing Ballet to IndiaHer passion also drove her to become a ballet teacher in India and establish the Indian Academy of Russian Ballet in Mumbai in 2015. Similarly, she started India’s biggest Great Indian Ballet Competition to promote young ballet dancers.“To bring Russian ballet culture to India and try to infuse that into our society within our minds and our body has been challenging but also a rewarding experience. I really hope that being a ballet teacher advocating the Russian system, we can continue to strengthen the cultural ties between Russia and India,” she said.Bhattacharya, who is also a global head at the Association of Russian Ballet and Theatre Arts in the UK, and is pursuing a Masters in Dance Science and Education at Edinburgh University, has been transcending cultural boundaries by showcasing her artistry on the global stage.Over the past decade, her ultimate goal has been to popularize and strengthen the ballet community, particularly focusing on the Russian system of ballet, and merge it with the richness of Indian traditions, folklore, and mythological tales.“We as kids have grown up listening from our parents and grandparents. I’m trying to take on those stories and look at them from the lens of ballet. That has been a very long dream of mine and I hope I will be able to achieve that very soon,” she said.
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International Women's Day: Meet The Indian Dancer Making Waves in Russian Ballet
07:30 08.03.2024 (Updated: 11:03 08.03.2024) Sputnik India chats with Indian ballet dancer Apeksha Bhattacharya this March 8, International Women's Day. Bhattacharya broke all odds to pursue her passion for ballet and carve a niche for herself in the Russian system.
Apeksha Bhattacharya is a 34-year-old Indian ballet dancer who is defying gravity as she effortlessly lifts off the floor, spins gracefully in the air, and lands gently on her toes with much élan.
At the age of 18, Bhattacharya's passion for ballet was ignited when her Filipino teacher introduced her to the captivating
world of dance.For her, ballet is a powerful tool for the younger generation, especially for women, as it empowers them to achieve anything they want, both on and off-stage.
"Ballet has given us a very fresh perspective, knowing that we can inspire our younger generations to dream about becoming ballerinas and
traveling the world to perform on stage. In the past, dance careers were very limited, but now we have a wide array of opportunities,” Bhattacharya told Sputnik India.
Mastering Russian System of Ballet
Driven by her passion for ballet, Bhattacharya pursued training in Russia and other countries, eventually specializing in the Russian system of ballet.
“I had to make my way to St. Petersburg and train under the Vaganova Academy teachers. I also have my certification from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, which is the biggest ballet school in
Moscow,” she said.
Bhattacharya's journey to become a professional ballet dancer was not an easy one, especially due to the language barrier she faced.
“When I went to Russia 15 years back, I did not understand the language. I realized that to understand a culture of another country, the best way is to understand its language. Hence, I took a year off to learn Russian language. It has been quite a boon because I understood what the culture of ballet is in Russia. And it was so beautiful for me to see their perspective, after all, they have some of the best ballet schools in the world, she said.
Her passion also drove her to become a ballet teacher in India and establish the Indian Academy of Russian Ballet in
Mumbai in 2015. Similarly, she started India’s biggest Great Indian Ballet Competition to promote young ballet dancers.
“To bring Russian ballet culture to India and try to infuse that into our society within our minds and our body has been challenging but also a rewarding experience. I really hope that being a ballet teacher advocating the Russian system, we can continue to strengthen the cultural ties between Russia and India,” she said.
Bhattacharya, who is also a global head at the Association of Russian Ballet and Theatre Arts in the UK, and is pursuing a Masters in Dance Science and Education at Edinburgh University, has been transcending cultural boundaries by showcasing her artistry on the global stage.
Over the past decade, her ultimate goal has been to popularize and strengthen the ballet community, particularly focusing on the Russian system of ballet, and merge it with the richness of Indian traditions, folklore, and mythological tales.
“We as kids have grown up listening from our parents and grandparents. I’m trying to take on those stories and look at them from the lens of ballet. That has been a very long dream of mine and I hope I will be able to achieve that very soon,” she said.
