Interview with Graduating Youth Company member Anushka Rao

As part of our YOUTH VOICES SERIES, we share an interview with Anushka Rao. Anushka began learning kathak at Pandit Chitresh Das’ institution in 2010, and then auditioned and was accepted in to the youth company. She has since performed at Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco Opera House, Zellerbach Hall, and many other prestigious events.

CDI interviewed Anushka in anticipation of her Youth Company Senior Graduating Showcase performance, Ek Jhalak on July 30, 2022 at the Sunnyvale Theater in San Jose.

Question What do you want people to know about your kathak journey?

Anushka Like many journeys, my Kathak journey has not been linear. 

My first few years of dance were filled with many colorful situations. Within my first six months in dance class, I quit. As a five year old, I thought little of the decision– that was until the day I saw my sister and mother busily preparing for the upcoming school show. I remember standing at the bottom of the staircase, watching them bustling about, haphazardly securing their parandis, and brimming with infectious excitement. I knew that day, sitting in the auditorium, that I was meant to be on the stage, not in a seat watching it. 

Fast forward a few months, I had my first (and I can proudly say only) timeout for causing a disruption in class. Afterwards, my dance teacher quietly pulled my mom to the side and recommended that I might benefit from another break. This time, it was I who was obstinate about remaining in class. 

The years that followed were far less turbulent. My mercurial temperament in class soon mellowed, and I began to take dance far more seriously, eventually joining the Youth Company in fifth grade. With this new commitment came a bundle of new challenges– self-doubt, anxiety about my skills as a dancer, and the imposter syndrome that came with dancing alongside many wonderful dancers. 

These feelings were outweighed by the joy I found not only through dance itself, but in the beautiful connections I made over the years. Some of these relationships have been short, only lasting a year or two, but many have carried far longer– almost a decade. Besides learning the artform itself, the biggest thing I have gotten from Kathak has been the privilege of meeting and developing relationships with people who have formed me into the person I am today.

I like to think that there is an invisible string tethering me to dance, giving me the freedom to move my own way, yet always finding a way to draw me back when I stray too far. 

Question What has it been like working with Charlotte Didi to prepare for your graduating showcase?

Anushka I have always been amazed by Charlotte Didi’s seamless ability to create new and exciting choreography in the matter of minutes. She is not only a beautiful dancer and choreographer but also a wonderful and supportive teacher. 

Working with Charlotte Didi has been an exciting and eye-opening process. I am so grateful for the creative freedom she gave me in choosing my pieces and the feedback, revisions, and compositions she provided to elevate my pieces. 

Charlotte Didi has been extremely supportive during my past seven years in YC, and I am so lucky that I get to train under her guidance for this showcase!

Question What is your favorite memory of your Dadaji (Pandit Chitresh Das)? How does it feel to be carrying on this tradition?

Anushka In all transparency, I do not remember much of Dadaji. He passed when I was only 10, during my first year in YC, and as a result I did not get to see him in class very often. 

Yet in hearing the stories that my mom, sister, Charlotte didi, and the larger dance community tell of him, I can vicariously feel their respect and awe for all the knowledge and joy that he has passed down. I am so grateful to have even tapped into the well of knowledge that he and many gurus have toiled to make accessible for us. 

Question What is something that you have discovered through dance that you would like to share?

Anushka Discipline is important! You will not always feel like dancing, and that is okay. Don’t rely on shere motivation to get you on the dance floor everyday. Showing up everyday (even if it’s just for 15 minutes) makes starting the next day far easier. 

Stay consistent, and you will inevitably see progress.

Question Where are you going to university and what are you most excited about learning there?

Anushka I’ll be attending UC Davis in the fall as a Data Science major. Davis is known as one of the most eco-friendly campuses in the country, so I’m excited to immerse myself in a community that is invested in being more sustainable.

I’m also looking forward to furthering my interests in writing and dance, two of my biggest passions. 

Question What is one thing about learning kathak that you think people should know?

Anushka There is always more to learn! Although I’ve been dancing for years, I’ve only tapped into 5% (if I’m being generous with myself) of all the knowledge that has been passed down. There will always be room for improvement, and as a result you will never grow bored. 

Question If you were to send a message of advice to your 10 year old self, what would you tell her?

Anushka Making mistakes– whether on the dance floor or on life’s stage– is inevitable. We can choose to gracefully recover and learn from these mistakes, or we can dwell on them and magnify these small missteps into irrecoverable errors. The latter does nothing but dissipate our energy; the former is far more forgiving, allowing us to grow and develop without shame. 

Do not let the fear of failure prevent you from exploring your passions. In all your ventures, failure is not the opposite of success; it is simply a stepping stone to the next big thing.

We are so proud of Anushka and all our YC members and graduates. A special thank you to Supriya & Suraj Rao, and all the YC parents who work so hard to support their children learning the profound tradition of kathak in the legacy of Pandit Chitresh Das, and for their continued support of CDI’s work.