Know Your CS Member – Mrs. Purnima, Bharathanatiyam Dancer

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!