DIVYA - NATYANJALI DANCE SCHOOL

 

1.Who are you and what do you do at Big Weekend?

My name is Divya Ramkumar and I am a regular performer at the Cambridge Mela

  1. What is your occupation outside of Big Weekend?

I am the Artistic Director and dance teacher of Natyanjali Dance School based in Cambridge. Natyanjali offers training in the South Indian Classical Dance of Bharatanatyam. I am also an active member of Samarpana Classical Arts, which is a practice platform for experienced classical dance practitioners.

  1. How has that changed due to Covid-19?

Teaching face-face and performing has come to a standstill. I use online help as much as I can to teach and practice during lockdown.

  1. How has your life changed due to the current situation? For good and for bad?

Big Weekend is the one thing my students and my fellow dancers look forward to every year. Similarly, we have lost other regular performance platforms and community outreach projects due to Covid. Along with the ambience and experience of performing and interacting in these events, we have also lost our income that comes from performances. 

Most of my regular classes continues online, thanks to technology. However, it does not come with its own  challenges some of them being connectivity, lag, inability to get a full profile of the student due to space issues, teaching very young children online etc..Some of them had to drop out due to the above issues. 

  1. What do you look forward to the most after this?

Looking back to life getting normal. My dancers miss dancing with each other. 

  1. What is your favourite moment or memory from Big Weekend?

There is no particular moment. Big Weekend gets better every year. I love the instant reaction, applause and the interactiveness when performing in front of a buzzing audience. Food stalls are those that attracts my students. The organisers and volunteers are very helpful.

  1. How much are you looking forward to Big Weekend 2021?

Very much

Click below to find out more about Natyanjali Dance School

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