Actress Sindhu Shyam, known for her Malayalam film debut in 'Bhootakannadi' and her work in television, recently marked a significant personal and artistic milestone. She performed the classical Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam at the historic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. This special performance was part of the auspicious, once-in-six-years Murajapam festival, making the occasion even more memorable.
A Dream Realised at a Sacred Venue
For Sindhu, who is now based in Chennai, this was her first time performing at the iconic temple. She fondly recalled her childhood connection to the site. "I grew up in Cheruthuruthy, and our first major trip was to Thiruvananthapuram when I was in Class 8," she said. Visiting the temple with her parents and sister left her awestruck by its magnificent architecture. The recent performance, which coincided with her birthday on December 2, was a deeply personal endeavor. "I wanted to do something different, to connect with myself," Sindhu explained. Her spiritual preparation included visits to both the Sree Padmanabhaswamy and Attukal temples before dedicating herself to rehearsal.
She was not alone on stage. Her sister, Soumya, accompanied her, performing the graceful Mohiniyattam. This made the event a heartfelt family collaboration. "It was after a long time that my sister and I performed together; the last time was perhaps during our school days," Sindhu shared. The duo began their performance following the completion of the temple's daily rituals, an experience Sindhu described as profoundly moving. "There were these vibrations I can’t explain in words; you just have to feel them. I felt very charged when we were dancing," she expressed.
Curating a Thematic Performance
The performance was carefully conceptualized to honor the venue. Sindhu's guru, Vaibhav, helped design a presentation that narrated stories related to Sree Padmanabhaswamy. Understanding the cultural context, they specifically chose compositions by the revered Maharaja Swathi Thirunal of Travancore. "Since we were performing in Thiruvananthapuram, we chose Swathi Thirunal’s works," she noted. Sindhu emphasized that while choreography can be taught, the dancer's personal connection and ability to evoke 'rasa' (emotion) in the audience is what creates a lasting impact.
Looking Ahead: Margazhi Season and Career Moves
This temple performance served as a perfect warm-up for the upcoming Margazhi festival season in Chennai. Sindhu revealed exciting plans for next month: she and her students will present 'Bhavayami Raghuramam', a thematic group piece depicting the entire Ramayana. This performance holds special significance as it marks her 16th year of teaching. "My senior students are all returning to take part in this. For me, dancing with my students is very fulfilling," she said with pride.
On the professional front, the actress, who has been settled in Chennai for 21 years, remains open to acting opportunities. Her initial move to the city was partly for the convenience of managing her dance practice and classes alongside a television career. "Now, I am looking forward to suitable opportunities," she stated. A recent visit to Kerala reaffirmed her connection with the audience. "People remembered me, referring to the serials I have done. I was flooded with emotions. It's nice to see that people remember us even if we aren’t active in the scene," Sindhu concluded, touched by the enduring affection.
