Dance is universal, says Aliyha
DANCE is universal and not confined to any race, culture or religion, says Christian-born Bharata Natyam dancer Aliyha Devania Martin Lewis.
For Lewis, a psychology student at Varsity College, what she knew of Indian dance while growing up was what she saw in Bollywood movies.
“I fondly remember returning home from school and joining my grandparents on the couch while they watched Bollywood movies,” recalled Lewis, who is Roman Catholic.
“I loved the way the girls danced and the outfits they wore and I knew I wanted to learn to dance like them,” said the 18-year-old from Hayfields, Pietermaritzburg.
Since her father, Colin Martin Lewis, a financial adviser, was Catholic and her mother, Yona Martin Lewis, a hospital manager, was Hindu, she did not foresee a problem.
“I was seven when I told my mom I wanted to dance like the Bollywood actresses. I did not get an immediate response. I remember her being silent.”
A few days later, her mother enrolled her in classes at the Natya Thilakum Lageshrie’s Institute of Dance.
“I was so excited. I could picture myself dancing like one of the stars. At my first lesson I sat on the sidelines and watched in awe girls younger than me perform the basic Bharata Natyam steps.
“The intricacy, discipline and artistry had me mesmerised and I forgot about dancing like a Bollywood actress.”
Lewis said Bharata Natyam was not only about dancing but told fascinating tales of Hinduism.
For 11 years, she has worked hard at mastering the dance form.
“I attended weekly lessons and practised in my spare time. During competitions, I went to extra classes. Dance helped me strike a balance with school and helped me relax.”
She said she had taken a year off dance to concentrate on her studies in Grade 11.
For Lewis, a highlight was performing at the Brics summit in Durban in 2013 before national delegations from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
However, her proudest moment was dancing in front of family and friends at her
ar a n g - etram at the Thekwini College Pietermaritzburg in in February.
She said many had wondered why a Catholic woman would want to learn a Hindu dance form.
Her response was simple: “Bharata Natyam does not infringe on my personal beliefs. It has only taught me to respect other religions.”