Balance between natyam, genetics

Chennai, Dec. 4: Striking a balance between genetics and Bharatanatyam has been quite easy for Shruti Balaji (23). Her recent performance at Mylapore Fine Arts Club got critical acclaim. It is her seventh performance in one of the major sabhas in the city. A postgraduate in human genetics from Sri Ramachandra University, she practised for six months continuously for the recent performance. “As soon as I graduated six months ago, I started the practice,” she said.

Shruti wants to do her Ph.D in genetics “somewhere in India” so that she can continue to practise her passion that is Bharatanatyam. “My sister Archana is good at Bharatanatyam. But she could not practice for the last two years as she got tied up in an IT job in Bangalore. She sure will come back to dance,” she said.

First generation dancer, Shruti would love to make it big as a full-time classical performer. “I must have enough money for learning and practice till I achieve the status of a professional dancer. That is why I am going into research in genetics,” she said. Her father Balaji and mother Rajeswari are quite supportive. She has been learning dance from the age of eight. “My gurus J. Suryanarayana Murthy and A. Lakshman of Nrityalakshana have always been encouraging,” said Shruti Balaji.