KNOW YOUR
CS MEMBER – MRS. PURNIMA, BHARATHANATYAM DANCER
What was
your graduation? When did you decide to do CS course?
I did my B Com in Stella Maris College, Chennai. But, what had a greater
influence on my career choice was my interest in dance. So, I need to digress a
little from your question to explain my academic and career decisions.
I started learning Bharathanatyam when I was in 9th standard, under Guru
Dr Lakshmi Ramaswamy. She kindled my interest, and I soon became extremely
passionate about dance. My alma mater, Padma Seshadri BalaBhavan- K.K.Nagar,
was also very supportive of my extra-curricular activities, to the extent that
they granted me a whole month’s leave, missing even my quarterly exams when I
was in 11th standard, to be a part of the Cultural Exchange Tour to Sri Lanka,
which the Government of Tamil Nadu had arranged. It was a memorable experience
for me as we got to dance in the Parliament of Sri Lanka, amongst other places.
I wanted to continue pursuing my interest in dance. However, all around
me I saw people commuting hours to reach engineering colleges, returning
terribly tired at the end of the day with no energy for anything else. That, to
be frank, was the reason I decided to choose commerce as my stream of study.
Commerce was offered by most city colleges.
However, it so happened that I had a flair for the subject, and became
extremely interested in it. In fact, without any additional tuition, and
without taking any breaks from my dance training, I managed to top the school
in Business Studies due to my love for the subject.
This was when my uncle Mr. Gopalakrishnan, a Chartered Accountant, suggested
that I take up ACS. Since I also wanted to do a basic graduation,I took up B Com
first.
Tell us
about your CS training and the first job.
I started ACS during my second year of college, cleared my Foundation in
the second year and Inter in thethird year. After I completed my B Com, I was
ready to take up the training as stipulated by ICSI. My uncle, Mr. T.Ananthanarayanan
willingly helped me start my training at Ashok Leyland, Chennai. The staff members
there were very thorough in training us. Our training superiors,
Mr.V.J.Baalachandiran and Ms. Subhadra under the guidance of
Mr.A.R.Chandrasekhar, did an amazing job. The unique feature there was
that we were each responsible for a group of companies. Hence, it taught us
about accountability and responsibility while at the same time taking us under
the wing for any liabilities. I would say that this is one of the best ways to
learn.
This made it easier for me to face the requirements of my very first
real job, where I was the Company Secretary at a Hong Kong based MNC called General
Nice Group. I worked there for three years after which I took a maternity
break.
From when
you have started dancing which is your passion.
Like I said, I started my training in Bharatanatyam at the age of 16. My
parents, Mr.T.Balasubramanian and Mrs. B.Vidya were very supportive and always
encouraged me, as opposed to the popular belief that parents only want their
children to study. My guru, mentor and inspiration,Dr.Lakshmi Ramaswamy is the
reason behind who I am today. With all of their blessings and support I carry
on dancing even today and I wish my journey continues.
Please tell
us about your journey and achievement in dancing.
My first real recognition came when I was chosen to be the President of our
college’s Classical Dance Club and eventually I received the Best Artist award
from the college. I was chosen by the Iyal Isai NatakaMandram (State
Government) under their Youth Talent Promotion Programme and was sponsored to
perform in four cities in Tamil Nadu. I am a B-grade artist of Doordarshan and
an empanelled artist of the South Zone Cultural Centre. My dance programmes
have been telecast in DD Podhigai, Makkal TV and Dheeran TV.
Another interesting aspect of my dance career is being invited to
different events as a guest or judge. Recently, I had been to Dubai for judging
a dance event and I was also invited by the Meenakshi College for Women as a
Chief Guest to inaugurate their cultural fest. Canara Bank also honoured me on
Women’s Day as one among five women chosen from different fields. I have also
been conferred with titles such as the TarangPadamathat I recently received in
Mumbai.
I run my own dance school, Sri Chandra Mudhra, at Ashok Nagar. Many of
my students are well-accomplished now, with several laurels to boast of. I also
take Skype classes for students from cities like Denver and Raleigh. Last year,
we successfully executed the arangetram of one such student, entirely through
arrangements made via Skype. Apart from the above, I also anchor a lot of shows
on DD Podhigai.
Getting
married and having a kid… Did they have any effect on your passion?
Definitely the societal pressure of why should I continue to perform
even after marriage was there. But my husband Mr.Sriram did not cause any kind
of hindrance to my passion and said I could pursue dance as per my wish. Post
child birth, some physical limitations were there, but I worked twice as hard
on my body to get back on stage. It was truly very hard to get back to dance
after a C-section but again, my parents and Guru were very supportive.
Will you
continue your CS career at some point of time?
Definitely yes! I studied CS only because of interest and not because of
compulsion. My daughter has started going to school and very soon I will be
restarting my career after equipping myself with the changes in the Act.
What would
you like to share for women on career and passion?
The best examples to kids are their parents. When you do something with
passion,be it your career or anything else, your child is bound to do whatever
he/she does with passion too. I know it is very compelling at times due to
societal, familial and physical pressure to give up your career or passion but
strive for it constantly and untiringly, you will never feel sorry. A life of
no regrets is a life best lived!
