'I am passionate about dance'

Cultural programme

Committed to popularising her passion, Rashme established the Rudraksha and later on the Shankaraa Foundation on Kanakapura Road to promote Indian traditional dance forms, art and craft. Ten years on, Shankaraa Foundation has been very active in promoting art, craft and dance.

The Foundation is hosting a six-day festival titled, ‘Soma Festival of Dance and Music’ from October 1 to 6 at Shankaraa Foundation’s amphitheatre Bhoomandala from 5 pm onwards. The festival will feature a variety of dance, music, art and craft — all under one roof.  

Rashme also sets apart a better part of her time to teach and train the dance form to underprivileged children. “It’s not always that the underprivileged children get a chance to learn art forms, be it dance or art. We train them and they stage a public performance once a year,” says Rashme.

Talking more about the festival, Rashme says that the festival will treat Bangaloreans to six evenings of soul-stirring music, dance and theatre performances by various artists from across the State.

There will be puppet shows, storytelling, magic shows and traditional games designed to sensitise people, especially children of  their cultural roots and refine their aesthetic awareness.

The Foundation will also host interactive sessions by artists, architects and interior designers on utilitarian arts and livelihood initiative, folk art and craft and ethnic food during the festival.

She reasons that the festival aims to bridge the gap between artists and art lovers while reviving interest in traditional art and promoting young talent. Rashme will also perform a dance ballet titled, Vikasa on the occasion. She has been training 20 dancers for this particular performance, “My team has experienced dancers. We have been practising extensively for the last few months,” she adds.  

Talking about Vikasa, Rashme points out that the ballet is one where several dance forms have been incorporate into one – The Yakshagana, the folk theatre of Karnataka; Kalaripayat, the martial art of Kerala, and the classical dance forms of South India have been woven into one.

Rashme started the Foundation to promote, preserve and perpetuate Indian heritage. She struck upon the idea after she felt that the classical dance forms and the arts were not being given enough space.

“I felt the need to start something to share with people my knowledge on dance, art and craft. Dance is not only a passion for me but it’s also an obsession. I have been dancing since I was a child. There’s never been a dull moment thus far,” says Rashme.

She believes that tradition offers security and without the ability to express ancient valuable traditions a person is greatly disadvantaged. It is to fulfill this need that Shankaraa exists as a comprehensive site for revival and practice of all creative forms of expression.

Entry to the festival is free.