Jeyanthi was initiated into Bharatanatyam by Guru Madurai Gopinath and she continued her training at the Shivanjali temple of Fine Arts, Coimbatore, India. After completing her graduate studies, Jeyanthi started teaching Bharatanatyam at the Natyanjali in Ottawa, Canada. She founded Natyanjali in New England in 1999 with a mission to perform charity. Since then, Jeyanthi and her students have performed regularly at several nursing homes and senior centers in New England. Jeyanthi has travelled across the US and Canada raising funds for charitable organizations. Jeyanthi has several student arangetrams (debut) to her credit.
Jeyanthi is affiliated to the Alagappa Performing Arts Academy (Alagappa University, Karaikudi, India) and offers Certificate, Diploma and Degree program in performing arts. Ten students have graduated so far. Her outreach assignments include special projects on Indian dance and Bharatanatyam for museums, libraries and churches in New England and Canada.
Jeyanthi's charity work extends to organizations from far and wide, including Vision Aid, Sankara Cancer Foundation, UNICEF, India Development and Relief Fund, Ekal Vidhyalaya, SAHELI, and MITHAS, We for Hope, ASHA for Education. Jeyanthi has choreographed several dance productions over the years for Natyanjali and works on collaborative projects with artists from India and the New England dancers,
Jeyanthi was the first President of KHMC (Karnatic Hindustani Music Circle) and currently serves as its Treasurer. Jeyanthi was recognized recently with the US Presidential Service Gold Award for recording over 500 hours of community service in 2013. Jeyanthi is a Plant Geneticist by training and a Software QA Engineer by profession.
I am a Software QA Engineer working for Raytheon, testing air traffic control and radar systems software.
Can you describe your journey into the world of dance?
It all started when I was about 3 as I watched and shadowed my cousin through the windows of a closed room (I was not allowed since I was too young!). We had a neighbor who was the Executive Officer of the local temple in Kovilpatti and a great lover of arts and music. He invited Palayamkottai Mani sir’s troop to perform at the temple’s Chithirai Festival, with a request that they let me dance the only item I knew – Karai eri meen vilayadum from the movie Thirumal perumai. Mani sir reluctantly agreed to include me – a 4-year old, not his student, late night performance and will be performing with his musicians without any rehearsal time. The day came, Mani sir’s troop performed first and it was about 11 PM when my turn came. I got on stage, performed what I sincerely practiced flawlessly and everyone was moved. Perhaps it is that blessing that, to this day, I have performed in many temples wherever I have lived and visited!
What are the personal /environmental attributes that have helped you succeed in life?
There are several. My parents who did not really have a particular agenda for me at any given time but encouraged me to put in my best efforts in everything I do were a great influence. My husband, Kanth, quietly emphasizing high quality standards in every aspect has been key to my success is all I do. My son, Pranav, who is a sheer joy to be around, and keeps me grounded.
Growing up traveling around state gave me opportunities to interact with simple and amazing people with different perspectives in life. I think being the only child, I did not have to live up to anyone. I enjoyed the attention of family – grandparents, uncles/aunts/cousins and family friends.
I was raised in an environment where honesty, sincerity and integrity were emphasized all around.
What was the motivation to start a dance school?
Passion for dance and a purpose to serve the under-privileged (charities and taking dance to those fragile elderly who do not otherwise get to witness and enjoy the bliss).
You have been core to building many dance teams in New England that come together for productions. Could you tell us a little about the vision Aid effort and what that effort has meant to the dance community?
In early 2009, a small team of us pursued the idea of a charity fund raiser and met up with the enthusiastic but equally apprehensive Vision Aid team to try this out. We found a great guru, Sri Madurai R. Muralidaran, just as passionate, who was willing to teach and train anyone who approached us with the commitment to work for the grand success of the production. We (mostly dance teachers and post arangetram students) all came in with different flavors of egos of a good artist, learned so much about our own selves along the way, and shared in the bliss of having been a small part of a bigger cause in that whole process! Many more dancers, especially, pre-arangetram students joined us in the following years, completely inspired by the sheer motivation by peers. If one thought it was not much “dancing†after arangetram they were proved wrong; several dancers who have had breaks in their dance journey found it encouraging to join the supportive team; the dancers’ families and friends have become even more eager to contribute in many ways that we could not imagine!
Great relationships built, collaborations pondered over, and the beauty of appreciating one another to bring us up to high standards in all our efforts are the testaments to this challenging community effort.
Dancers sponsor the productions themselves, putting in countless hours of time and effort. They work with reputed Artistic Directors from India and bring in these well-choreographed and ambitious dance dramas to bring these sold-out shows. At the end of it all, it is the under-privileged served by the selfless volunteers of Vision Aid who reap the benefit of it all.
Could you tell us about this year's production?
This year we are staging “The Dancer’s Pledge - Sivagamiyin sabadham†- a grand dance production by Guru Madurai R Muralidharan, based on the historical novel authored by Kalki R.Krishnamurthy.
The story is set around 7th Century AD, during the golden age of the Pallava regime. The consummate statesman, Mahendra Varmar, the transition of Narasimha Varmar from a brave but raw Crown Prince to an unconquerable Emperor, the beautiful and talented Sivagami, the astute Naganandi, the intensely hot-headed Pulikesi and the creative Aayanar – all contribute to a profound impact on the conspiracies of the production.
This novel provides a timeless appeal not only in its sterling characters but also a plot that showcases the bright, dark and grey aspects of human character, highlighting fresh perspectives on statesmanship, valor, romance, our approach to the arts and a setback that may be inherent in the most stunning of victories.
For more details on the production, please visit the FB link –
https://www.facebook.com/events/602587816462254/How difficult is it to maintain two careers?
Difficulty is a subjective term and varies with people; having the goals on hand straight, being organized, disciplined, flexible, and constantly reaching out to the Lord for guidance can certainly keep one maintaining both careers quite well.
What challenges if any have you faced in your career path?
Professionally – I am a career changer – with two Master’s degrees in Genetics and Plant Breeding and a few years of research experience, I decided to venture into the software industry in my early thirties; starting off as a Junior Test Engineer along with college grads was a bit of an ego tester!
Dance-wise – I picked up dance seriously pretty late – when I was in college, had my foundation strengthened but didn’t get to perform widely with my guru(s); I did not belong to the dance troop of a well-known guru, nor do I come from an artistically evolved or well-to do family that could support all of these; most importantly, I had only a couple of audio from my Guru with me when I left India for graduate studies; it was hard in the early 90’s to teach or perform without a decent audio recording. Thanks to gracious dancers like Vijayanthimala, Priyadarshini Govind, Madurai Muralidaran and many others who shared their music and knowledge with the rest of the world, it has become a lot easier. Given that, even today, all of what my students and I perform is pretty much my choreography. And that is a constant test I write every time I/we perform.
What advice would you give women trying to follow your career path?
I never prefer to give advice! Just remind myself of the famous quote, “Nobody says life is easy; but it is well-worth living it by serving the needy in any possible way!â€
What lasting impact do you expect your work to have on the world?
Every act of kindness, however small, is divine, as long as it is done with sincerity and purity of heart, without any expectation of the results.
What is the secret to your maintaining a work -life balance?
Every act is an offering to the Lord and is holy. Aspects of family, work, life- all come to us with a particular timeline. As long as we are sensitive to that, set our priorities straight and remain positive, all can be balanced. Spirituality and following the path of a spiritual leader sure helps keep the balance.
What is your approach to parenting?
Children are a great blessing and have come to us with a purpose, a set of priorities that change with time and a timeline; it is important to cherish them when we have them, teach values and guide them as they grow up and inspire them to pursue things in their life through our own practice and example.
You have a raised a very talented musician. What is the secret to that success?
Following up on my earlier answer, Pranav is a wonderful blessing. Kanth, his grandparents and I have learned a lot raising him – we do make mistakes and rectify them as and when we recognize them; spotted his love for the tabla quite early in age, provide all the means within our reach, let him take risks (since age 11, every summer, he travels to Hyderabad on his own to stay with his Ustad ji and learn tabla), keep him grounded as he achieves things, and support him when we feel that he is falling behind; in all, we understand that it is important to give a child his or her space!
What activities outside of work are you involved in?
My philosophy is to provide loving service to those in need and those that cannot help themselves, whenever I get an opportunity. My belief in Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s teachings has influenced me in getting involved wherever there is a need, irrespective of the organization. Here are some areas that I work with:
- Dance - started my dance school, Natyanjali, in 1999 with a mission to perform for charity and the less privileged; have performed and raised funds for many local and International organizations such as IDRF, Ekal Vidhyalaya, Saheli, MITHAS, UNICEF and Vision Aid.
• my students and I perform at nursing homes and assisted living/senior centers, as a way of cheering the elderly and ill inmates.
• my outreach efforts into the broader community include special projects on Indian dance and its connection to spirituality for churches, local schools, libraries and museums.
• my work at Natyanjali formed part of a PhD thesis by Arthi Devarajan and some of the findings published in the paper “Dancing Krishna in the Suburbs - Kinaesthetics in the South Asian American diasporaâ€.
• coordinate special occasion performances for organizations such as the Sri Lakshmi temple and India Association of Greater Boston, encouraging the second generation youth and the broad dance community keep up the art.
• For the past six years, have been a co-producer of fund raisers for Vision Aid by engaging the New England dance community, working with renowned Artistic Directors from India and bringing out sold-shows.
• Registered Instructor/Center for Alagappa Performing Arts Academy (APAA)- offer Certificate, Associate Degree, Diploma and Degree programs in Performing Arts; Fifteen students have graduated with the Certificate and One with the Associate Degree and Diploma in Performing Arts.
• Music - As the first President of KHMC (Karnatic Hindustani Music Circle) and currently serving as its Treasurer, engaged in the promotion of local talents of Hindustani and Carnatic music in the area, for the past six years.
• Boy Scouts of America - A merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts of America offering the following merit badges for the past 5 years - Insect Study, Nature, Plant Science, Family Life, Disability Awareness, and Personal Management.
• STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) – my own background in STEM subjects has inspired me in becoming an Ambassador, promoting Math and Science Education in middle schools through the DIGITS project so that the children of next generation grow and excel in these vital areas in the coming years.
• Math Moves U - regular volunteer for Math Moves U efforts by my employer.
• Chelmsford Sathya Sai Center
Sai Spiritual Education Teacher - children ages 5-17 yrs., for the past several years. This is a weekly (Saturday) teaching session based on an international curriculum with lesson plans emphasizing the Unity of world religions, living based on the core values of Truth, Right conduct, Peace, Love and Non-violence, protecting and nurturing the environment and respect for Creation.
Participate regularly at the Sai center service activities such as cooking at the Lowell Transitional shelter,, helping out with events at the Perkins School for the Blind, Westford food pantry, The Haley House, Mass Audubon Society, to name a few.
• Language Interpreter (Tamil and Telugu) for the elderly during their hospital visits, through American Translation Partners.
• Volunteer/Coordinator – Angel Tree Program by India Association of New Hampshire (IANH) – along with a few friends/colleagues sponsor children at the Nashua Children’s Home during Christmas, fulfilling their holiday wishes and Thanks Giving needs.
What do you do for fun?
Watch musical and dance performances, and enjoy outdoors.
Who is your greatest mentor?
That would be my Guru Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Have you been influenced by any women mentors?
Mrs Prathibha Reddy , our neighbor since I was about 2; a veteran from the Indian Army she lost her husband to war and her son was murdered because of sheer jealousy in his army unit. Despite life’s hardships, her broad outlook for life and sheer compassion to help the needy moved me. I looked up to her in many ways until I was a teenager!
My aunt – being married as a 12 year old into a big family and pretty much the whole village of Valia Chalai in Thiruvananthapuram – taught me patience, positive outlook and speaking less.
My mother, who gave me complete support when I left India for graduate studies as a naïve, single college graduate and the first in the family to study overseas; she often quoted her own family situation of supporting her mother in managing the farm, tending to her sick father, 2 mentally challenged brothers and a blind sister all in a blow, at the age of 16, which prevented her from completing high school!
Did you have any male mentors?
Sri Kaliappan, the Executive Officer I talked about earlier, who helped start my dance journey , my father, Sri. S. Ramamoorthy, with his practice of modesty, sincerity, integrity and being truthful to oneself at all times and my Tamil Professor, Dr. L.S. Kandasamy, who was instrumental in me pursuing graduate studies abroad and many illustrious men whom I met along the way during good and challenging times.
What kind of support have you valued most from your husband?
Letting me be who I am and giving me that punchy one-word answer when I have a hard time making a decision!
What support from you has your husband valued the most?
That is really a Kanth question! One thing as a couple we have done during tough times is to just pick up and do what is required at the hour, instead of brooding over the past or blaming one another!
What is your personal philosophy of living life?
Life is: Loving - Listening - Lifting - Learning - Giving.
What was your happiest moment in life?
When Pranav was born on a Thursday evening during Shivarathri.
When there were low points in your life what advice did you value the most to pull through?
Never to let go of two things – faith that this is a passing phase and devotion to the Lord that if HE brought me here He shall take me across.
Do you have a fitness routine that you would like to share?
I am not a person that hits the Gym every day; keeping the body flexible and active - stretches and yoga 3-4 times a week, along with teaching dance 4-5 days a week, regular house work and walking my dog as needed.
Do you have a spiritual routine that you would like to share?
I do focus equally on keeping a healthy mind routine (my thoughts pure and fresh) - silent sitting for 5 min. in the morning and at night and attending/singing bhajans 2-3 times a week.
Do you have a beauty routine that you would like to share?
I do not have a routine but practicing dance, watching my thoughts and remaining positive help me!
Do you have favorite book/author?
R.K. Narayan/Malgudi Days in English; in Tamil it is SaVee/Washingtonil Thirumanam.
Do you have a favorite song/ musician?
Kurai onrum illai/Smt. M.S.Subbulakshmi
Do you like to cook? What is your favorite dish to make?
Yes, predominantly South/North Indian vegetarian dishes; bisibhelebath/avial is my favorite to make!
Could you share one fun fact about you ?
Like some Indians, I have 3 birthdays – one according to Hindu calendar, one that is officially recorded and third one is the day that I was actually born. Every time my husband goes to the pharmacy to pick up my medication, the pharmacists tease him and have to help him out!
Any Words of Wisdom?
What inspires me is this: “Women have a very crucial role in individual and social uplift. They are the makers of the home, the nation and the world. They are the mothers who shape the generation to come. So, they must enshrine in their hearts the spiritual urge towards Light and love, wisdom and bliss.†- Baba
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