Expressions in abhinay (acting) is an art which is inherently present in you. And as you grow up, these expressions develop and evolve, becoming a part of your performance. As a performer, you need to review your dance, and revisit your acting to revive your expressions continuously” believes Apeksha Niranjan, an exceptional Bharatnatyam dancer, actor and cultural ambassador of Poland House. From a humble upbringing in Kolhapur, Apeksha owes her Bharatnatyam prowess to relentless practice and innate talent. Her child- hood participation in plays laid the foundation for her exceptional Abhinay skills. Grateful for the audi- ence’s adoration, she cherishes the title bestowed upon her. During a performance in Italy, she astounded dancers of ballet and contemporary styles with her seamless rhythmic movements, coordinated eye gestures, and expressive hand motions. Proudly representing the beauty of Indian dance, she left a lasting impression.
CONNECTION BETWEEN POLISH AND INDIAN CULTURES
Apeksha now holds the role of cultural ambassador for Polish House, an organization with a compelling history dating back to WWII. During the war, Polish refugees found shelter in India. Today, the organization provides a better life to Indian children who lost their parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Apeksha’s connection to the cause runs deep — her grandmother, a Polish refugee, married her Indian grandfather during the war. As a result, she feels a sense of obligation to contribute. She says, “While being the cultural ambassador, Polish House also gave me the opportunity to perform in their country. So, while supporting the noble cause, I’m able to meet and interact with different people through my performances.” While some may call the lineage a mere coincidence, life indeed, took a different turn for the established dancer.
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO A JOURNEY OF TRUE EXPRESSION
Apeksha’s dance journey began in a middle-class Marathi-speaking house-hold in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Her innate talent was discovered by her parents when they noticed her dancing to Bollywood songs at a young age. Enrolled in Kathak classes at seven, she excelled not only through practice but also by avidly observing classical performances and instructional videos. Juggling between both dance forms for years, Apeksha’s dedication never waned. Eventually, she made the life-changing decision to fully commit to Bharatnatyam. Today, celebrated as a distinguished Bharatnatyam dancer, her journey reflects the significance of observation and relentless practice.
GURU-SHISHYA: ETERNAL BOND DEEPLY ROOTED IN INDIAN CULTURE
Speaking on the student-teacher bond, Apeksha expresses, “When I started learning the art, my expressions and my craft were strong. But only after getting guidance from my guru, my skills got polished, allowing me to express my emotions. Indeed, the Guru-Shishya bond is a beautiful parampara (tradition) rooted in Indian culture. This bond teaches you discipline and respect — both values which I imbibed from my teacher.” Apeksha is now both a performer and a teacher, embracing the responsibility of passing on cultural values to her students. She emphasizes the significance of traditions like namaskar in Bharatnatyam, as they represent the rich culture of our country. By instilling these practices at a young age, she believes they can be preserved and cherished even as her students embark on journeys abroad.
EMBRACING INDIA’S DIVERSITY — BOTH TODAY AND TOMORROW
So far, Apeksha has lived an exciting life through her performing prowess and association with the Polish House. The question is — are there any exciting chapters waiting to be unveiled in the future? “Well, one project that I’m currently working on is to present the various abhangas (poems by famous saints) in the form of Bharatnatyam. I’m creating a recital through my performance, without losing the essence of both aspects. There are some performances lined up in Poland not only for my Indian audience but Polish and European too,” she informs.
