Ninth-grade student Akshath Piram recently earned international recognition for his excellence in Bharatanatyam, one of India’s most revered classical dance forms. Akshath, the son and disciple of Indhumadhi Gopalakrishnan, Founder and Artistic Director of the Salangai School of Performing Arts, was selected from a large pool of applicants to receive two prestigious merit-based honors. He was named a recipient of the Bala Kala Bharathi Award from Bharath Kalachar, an honor given to only three dancers each year, and also received the Natya Kumarah Award from the All India Dancers Association.
Competing and performing in India was a deeply meaningful experience for Akshath, who described the recognition as an affirmation of years of discipline, passion, and dedication to his art. Preparing for the competition required months of consistent training and stamina-building, culminating in 11 performances, including eight full hour-long recitals. Each performance presented a unique audience and atmosphere, challenging him to grow as a performer while strengthening his confidence and connection to the art form.
Reflecting on the experience, Akshath shared that the journey taught him valuable lessons in endurance, focus, and the importance of consistent practice. He also expressed gratitude for the guidance and support of his family and his teacher, who is also his mother. Moving forward, Akshath hopes to continue deepening his training in Bharatanatyam and pursuing opportunities that challenge him artistically while honoring the tradition of this classical dance.