In good old days, the fine arts, music, dance, sculpture,
painting, medicine or even reading and writing, were reserved to
the chosen few, could be the upper class rich Brahmins running big
temples and or to the kings and their petty kings. It could be
true to some extent even today. And, if one wants to dance, there
are plenty of opportunities. Sushma Kamath wanted to dance, and
her generously blessed father let her dance, the divine dance,
dance of the Gods, the Barathanatyam.
Her teachers are Natyacharya Nrithya Kala Sindhu Shri K.
Radhakrsihna Thantri and his equally capable daughter Mrs. Veena
M. Samaga. I am told these are the best teachers in the
vicinity.
Folks, Barkuronline is proud to present a student of such
dedicated teachers, Nrithya Vidushi, Miss Sushma Kamath, born out
of our own precious super soil, Barkur!
Sushma started the training at a very tender age of ten. She has
passed out in first class in Bhratanatyam Vidwath Examinations.
She made her Bharathanatyam arrangatrum in the year 2004.
Kuchipudi is an ancient art/form of dance, which needs great
effort and strenuous determination. Only a versatile dancer could
specialize in both Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi at the same time.
Sushma belongs to such a unique impressive category. She made her
Kuchipudi arramgatrum in February 2005 and thus became the first
one from the district to achieve these dual accomplishments.
Sushma topped in Karnataka State in the Kuchipudi Primary Level
examinations conducted by the Karnataka Examination Board in May
2005. This is a matter of pride to be included in her resume,
indeed.
She has performed many Bharathanatyam programmes with her
Natyacharya’s team and also a number of solo programmes in many
parts of Karnataka, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. The solo
program, which she gave in the National Level Classical Dance
Festival conducted by the Kala Academy of Goa and the West Zone
Cultural Center, Udaipur was a milestone in her career. She
represented Karnataka in this festival. Something to laud about!
She also passed the classical dance audition test (noopura nada)
conducted by Dooradarshana Kendra (TV) Bangalore, has been
selected to give classical dance programmes for Doordarshan and
her programmes are telecast in the channel ‘Chandana.’ If this is
not achievement, what else?
Recently she gave a memorable solo performance at the Silver
Jubilee function of the Surashri Kesarbai Karker Memorial Music
Festival organized by the Kala Academy of Goa at Panaji at the
personal invitation of Mr. Prathap Singh Rane, Chief Minister, Goa.
She performed along with some other veteran artists like
Padmabhushan Pandith Ram Narayan, PadmaVibhushan Pandith Hari
Prasad Chaurasia, Padma Vibhushan Kishori Amonkar and others.
This is super achievement!
Besides, very recently Kumari Shusma felicitated at the 63rd
anniversary of Maryknoll Primary School, Barkur. She was
felicitated also at the the School Day function of Maryknoll High
School and also the Makkala Sahithya Sammelana or Childrens’
Literary Convention at National Pre University college. It’s
heartening to note that these schools recognize, appreciate, and
provide opportunities to learn and display talents.
Now, you may question, “Whose wonder girl is this?”
Family:
Father: Y. Mohandas Kamath, a prominent wholesale grocery
businessman in Barkur, of ‘Shree Durga Traders’. It’s primarily
because of his generous financial support, encouragement, and
sacrifices, Sushma reached these heights. Parents can offer the
best, but it’s up to the child to drink!
Mother: Anjani M. Kamath, a housewife, has been always behind
Sushma, like a backbone, or like the shadow, helping her with
costumes, homework, and timely warm food.
She has an elder brother, Y. Ashwin Kamath who is involved in his
father’s business. He has learnt tabla and flute quite a bit. He
is an all round sportsman.
Education:
Primary: Maryknoll Higher Primary School, Barkur.
High School: Maryknoll High School, Barkur.
Pre University: National Junior College, Barkur.
Degree: B.Sc. (BZC) from Poorna Prajna College, Udupi.
When she was in 4th standard, Natyaguru Radhakrishna
Tantry’s team performed at Barkur. After watching that
performance, Sushma got inspired and decided to learn dance. Now
we know how she got interested in dancing!
Hobbies:
Reading, creating Soft Toys, Metal embossing, Engraving, Glass
painting, Foil work, Tar painting, Patch work, Embroidery, Crochet
work (wool knitting work), Fabric painting, Stitching, and Drawing
are some of her favorite hobbies, in spite of her busy dancing
schedules.
Barkuronline.com
wishes Sushma a bright future, not just in performing in India
alone but abroad as well, and also in building up her own team to
perform in Movies too, and also to teach the children, even the
children yet to be born. You can do it. She will be a “hero” and
“Inspiration” to many a Barkurian youngsters! Who says,
Barkuronline.com does not recognize youngsters as POM?
