In step with the guru

Geeta Chandrans Bharatanatyam moves are laden with the memories of her mentor,Swarna Saraswathy

Geeta Chandrans Bharatanatyam moves are laden with the memories of her mentor,Swarna Saraswathy
My head was moulded by a classicmy first guru,Swarna Saraswathy,who taught me Bharatanatyam when I was five. One of the earliest lessons I learnt from her was that of multi-tasking,without making a huge fuss about it. Swarna was a complete artista dancer,a musician,an instrumentalist,a philosopher,and one who thought deeply about her art. Her life and living imprinted on me the need for impeccable training in whatever one wanted to excel in.

She was the daughter of well-known singer Rajamani Ammal and the granddaughter of distinguished dancer Amritha Ethiraja Ammal. She had her early training under her grandmother and under Kanchipuram Thiruvengada Nattuvanar. From the age of seven,she regularly accompanied her mother in music recitals. She was also a concert-level veena artist. What a complete grasp on the arts she had!

It was Swarna who taught me the unique link between movement and music,a quality that deeply imbues my dance. Every time I dance,it is laden with memories of her training; the little inflections that made her Bharatanatyam special and sacred. My favourite memento from her is not the huge repertoire of the dance that she seared my soul with,but the attitude that dance can lead to a higher plane of philosophy,that dance had to be a passion,a madness,a junoon.
Her favourite metaphor was of the eveningthe hour of pradoshawhen all the senses are heightened. She worked to make dance suffused with the spirit of pradosha. That dance should heighten human sensitivity was her philosophy.

She truly was a multi-carat diamond; rather like the flashing diamonds on her ear lobes and nostrils. She looked like a perfect Thanjavoor sculpture with her large limpid eyes,that could convey several levels of meaning with a simple inflection of the brow or eyelid. She was a true classic that I had the privilege to be taught by. u

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More