Welcome to Passion Fruit, where stories of passion and perseverance come to light. In this episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Janani Sridhar, a Bharatanatyam dancer and high school junior. Janani shared her journey of mastering Bharatanatyam, balancing academics, and staying connected to her cultural roots while growing up in the United States.

Janani’s love for Bharatanatyam began as a child, initially encouraged by her mother. What started as a gentle push from her parents evolved into a deep passion. Practicing mudras at a young age, inspired by Indian movies and songs, Janani found a profound connection to her roots through dance.

She completed her Arangetram—the Bharatanatyam debut performance—this past summer, despite challenges like a knee injury and the rigors of virtual training after moving from New Jersey to Dallas. Through it all, Janani developed discipline, time management, and an appreciation for her heritage.

Beyond her Arangetram, Janani is channeling her skills into teaching younger students in her community. She envisions passing on the moral, ethical, and cultural lessons embedded in Bharatanatyam. She also connects her art with her academic pursuits, aspiring to become a military emergency physician.

Janani’s story inspires us to hold onto our passions, even amidst challenges, and to continue learning and growing while passing our knowledge on to others.