Mysuru: S Gowri Priya, who just completed civil engineering course, is not only good at studies but equally good in dance, singing and painting. The Bharatanatya Rangapravesha of Gowri Priya will be held at Kalamandir on December 3 at 5.30pm.

Daughter of Sethuram and Uma Rajan, she was initiated into the art of Bharatnatyam at the age of eight under Guru Vidushi Chethana Sundaresh in Bangalore.  After completing her junior grade in Bharatnatyam in Bangalore, she learnt the finer nuances and intricacies under the excellent guidance of Chethana Radhakrishna in Mysuru thus completing her senior grade.

Gowri has gained her primary and high school education from St. Antony’s School in Ramamurthy Nagar (Bangalore), pre university education from SVEI Mysore and has graduated in Civil Engineering with top honours from Vidya Vikas Institute of Engineering and Technology (2016) fairing among the rank holders in her final semester from Visveswarya Technological University, Belgaum. She has excelled in various fronts of  engineering by winning several awards for technical excellence in National Level Events from BMS ( Bangalore) SJCE, NIE and SIT (Tumkur).

Her love for dance propelled her to start her own team called “Noopura” comprising 10 dancers specialised in Bharatnatyam and semi classical dance forms. She choreographed and performed two dance ballets- “Dashakant” which is a presentation on Ramayana and “Sthairya” focussed on issues faced by women in this modern era. Both ballets were performed and well received at various cultural fests in Mysore earning her praise for choice of music, theme, costumes and choreography. She has performed at various cultural festivals conducted by ISKCON Bangalore, Tumkur Arts Festival and performed across Mandya, Mysore, Tumkur and Hassan.

Gowri Priya is equally interested in Carnatic classical music and has learnt this art from Vidushi Padma Vishwanath and is currently training under Vidushi Jyothi Raveendran for the Senior Syllabus having completed her Junior Grade Examination. She is also an avid painter and has learnt various art forms such as Mysore traditional art, oil painting, watercolours and attended various workshops on a variety of subjects like one stroke painting, Kerala mural and ganjifa. She also teaches art in her spare time to students of all ages.

Gowri said, “Dance has helped me achieve creativity and composure in all other aspects of life. I could handle many academic projects, attend several academic workshops and also maintain a healthy student life. Chethana Radhakrishna’s advice to remain calm and sport a smile while performing difficult movements in Bharatnatyam translated into my everyday activities by which I was able to handle both my art and engineering hand in hand with joy and not stress. Everyday my routine consisted of 2 hours of yoga or Bharatnatyam along with my academic study in the evenings. I practiced my traditional paintings over the weekends. My parents were supportive in all my ventures and encouraged every aspect of my interest.”