Dancer who lives by his lineage

U P Chandan, a Mangalorean boy who shot to fame in the Sandalwood with his extra-ordinary acting talent, is now all set to present Bharatanatyam Rangapravesha.

The boy, who entered the Sandalwood at the age of four, has already acted in nearly 25 Kannada films. Chandan had performed Bharatanatyam at many places in the past, but the Rangapravesha to be held on December 5 at the Town Hall in the City will be only a formal one.

Speaking to City Herald, Chandan’s father and Guru Vidwan U K Praveen said that it was noted film director S Narayan who spotted the talent in the boy and gave him a chance to act the Ravichandra - Nagma starrer movie ‘Ravimama’.

“Opportunities came knocking at his door after acting in the debut movie. He acted in ‘Sooryavamsha’, ‘Tavarige Ba Tangi’, ‘Excuse Me’, ‘Nanu Nanna Hendtiyaru’ and many other moves,” he added.

Chandan’s talent in acting gave him opportunity to act with noted stars in Sandalwood including late Vishnuvardhan, late Soundarya, Shiv Rajkumar, Sudeep, Esha Koppikar, Prema and many others.

Praveen says that though many directors are offering roles, Chandan has not been keen on accepting them as he wants to focus on his studies at this stage.

Chandan, who is brilliant in academics, also has set his own records in sports and games. He is very keen in skating, swimming, basket ball and football. Chandan, who did his primary education at the Canara Higher Primary School, Dongarakeri and high school in Sharada Vidyalaya, has excelled in Carnatic Junior, Bharatanatyam Junior and Senior examinations.

A first PUC (Science) student at the St Aloysius PU College in Mangalore, he had stopped acting in films at the age 12 to concentrate on studies. However, his talent and interest in classical dances made him continue to learn Bharatanatyam and music.

In the beginning, Chandan learnt classical dances from his grandfather and renowned dancer late U S Krishna Rao, who founded Kadri Nritya Vidya Nilaya in 1935. He then continued his learning under his parents Praveen, Director of Kadri Nrithya Vidya Nilaya Charitable Trust and Usha Praveen who is a vocalist and a script writer.

He was also tutored by his aunt Vidushi Sandhya Keshav Rao. Praveen says, that Chandan, who aspires to become an Engineer also wants to pursue formal training in acting from Pune Film Institute.

He won recognition by presenting solo and group performances at various places in India and abroad. His contributions to the Sandalwood brought him the District Rajyotsava award.

Chandan’s elder brother U P Sharan, a mechanical engineering student, is a fine choreographer and is preparing for the Vidwat examination. 

Chandan says, “people expect more from me because of my lineage, My grandfather and my parents are well known artistes. I have to deal with dance and studies simultaneously. I spend at least four hours a day practicing Bharatanatyam.”