Dancer’s hoop dreams come true

Chennai

How did you get into hula hoop dancing?

I have been a Bharatanatyam dancer for a long time and wanted to try something innovative. Luckily my husband was immensely supportive and he understood what I was aiming to do. So he encouraged me to take lessons in hula hoop dancing and I gave it a shot. Eventually I really started enjoying it and combined it with my classical dance skills.

Tell us about how you managed to create the world record.

I have always believed in taking up challenges and decided to take up a blind folded hula hoop dancing marathon. It also had the cause of eye-donation associated with it. My biggest inspiration is AR Rahman sir as I feel he constantly reinvents himself. I attempted the record and broke it on his birthday. So I am very happy. I am now going to attempt another dancing record and it will also have a social cause associated with it.

What is your advice to women aspiring to take up dance?

Just believe in yourself and go for it. Age is not a factor and neither is there any right time for it. I took up hula hoop dancing after marriage. Do not restrict yourself or think that your place is in the kitchen. Learn a dance form, master it and innovate.