Today we’d like to introduce you to Rajalakshmi Krishna.
Rajalakshmi, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I initiated my dance class with a small, intimate group of students, utilizing an unconventional methodology. Although promoting a dance class of my size is standard practice to attract new students, I deliberately chose not to follow this conventional path. Instead, I focused on delivering intensive training to my students, and through word of mouth, my class size expanded substantially within a short period, which is a notable achievement from my perspective. Nevertheless, heavily marketed studios and teachers tend to gain popularity. For me, internal happiness is essential, as I have numerous students who excel in techniques and perform in prestigious venues in the United States and India. My dance class consists of passionate students who rigorously practice with intensity. Today, my class is chosen for the quality of the items and choreography I provide.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would describe my journey as a slow & steady start as it was anticipated to be.
My 35+ years of dance performance &
teaching experience gained in India helped me plan and manage challenges
encountered. As it was almost like fresh
start in Texas in my 40s, teaching this
demanding classical art required
substantial stamina, which I achieved
through yoga, fitness, and 2+ hour daily
practice sessions with my students.
I had to also overcome unfair
discriminations and comparison to less
experienced teachers. While my peers
with similar experience were respected,
I didn’t receive the same level of
acceptance and recognition. My
professional network was still developing
, and I noticed that respect often
correlated with popularity. Nevertheless,
I was determined to establish a reputable
dance school and knew it would be
a journey. I worked diligently, prioritizing
my students’ growth and providing a
professional platform for them to excel.
Now, my students’ success speaks to my
abilities. Even on international stage
performances, I receive highly positive
feedback on their skills. Looking back,
I have actually made my school achieve
high reputation level in 8-9 years,
what might have otherwise taken
20+ years.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Bharathanatyam, a highly demanding and celebrated Indian classical dance art form, is my area of specialization. This intricate dance form demands creativity in execution and pedagogy, particularly when guiding young children, as effective instruction requires innovative teaching methods and approaches. I am passionate about the storytelling aspect of this art form and integrate this approach into my choreography. My students and parents appreciate the challenging choreographies I provide, which facilitate growth and excellence. I have developed productions that combine dance and drama, requiring creative storytelling, prop selection, and technical requirements like lighting and projections. Recently, I directed and produced a grand production on the six abodes of Lord Muruga, a poignant story about the Indian god. My most successful production, engaging 50 of my students, was well appreciated and greatly acknowledged, providing me with immense internal happiness after its success.
I dedicated 12 hours daily to plan, choreograph, and debut this production, taking immense pride in having single-handedly managed trained my students for this major stage production.
All the more excited , now rigorously planning for my next dance drama original production for the year 2026-27!
How do you think about happiness?
Through dance instruction, I am able to express my creativity via choreography, which provides immense joy when executed successfully. Seeing my students dance with skill is highly rewarding. Spending time with my pet doggy Kaiser brings me happiness.. I enjoy my family time, undoubtedly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shreebalanrithyalaya.com
- Facebook: Shreebalanrithyalaya
- Youtube: Utube@shreebala
