Krishnanand Nair, 16, of Gurnee is a student at Lake Forest Academy. He performs a style of dance called Bharatanatyam.
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Q. What is the history of Bharatanatyam dance?
A. It’s an ancient classical art form of India. It originated in southern India, in Tamil Nadu in 1000 BC.
Q. Does the dance have a meaning?
A. It’s usually used to express devotion to the Gods. A lot of it is stories it conveys of Hinduism. It can be used for anything.
Q. How old were you when you first got interested in Bharatanatyam?
A. Around five.
Q. How did you get interested?
A. My parents were going to a Hindu temple. They were having classes there. So I joined and I just stuck with it.
Q. Is it difficult?
A. It takes some getting used to, the moves themselves. It takes a lot of endurance. A lot of it is memorizing the moves and letting it come to you naturally. You don’t have to be really thinking that much while you perform.
Q. How much time do you practice?
A. Usually I find time on weekends. The past few years I’ve gone to Atlanta to do productions. There I practice five hours daily.
Q. What productions?
A. It’s for an organization called Third Eye Dancers, a nonprofit. Whatever money we get from ticket sales goes for different causes.
Q. Future goals?
A. There is some competition. I used to go to some when I was younger. I’m trying to call in retirement homes and perform as an act of service.
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