An experience with Humility

“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” 

― Ernest Hemingway, The Wild Years

The rehearsals for Krishna Bharatham have intensified. This week, I had the pleasure of  observing the choreographer and dancers in action and was also able to draw a few of them aside for a quick chat (only before and after rehearsals of course-Discipline was at its most effective during these rehearsals). 

In chatting with with our SIFAS Guru, Guru Sanjith Lal, I found that his humility came through with each anecdote he shared and I was reminded during these moments, that the only way to pursue any passion or creative art is to do so with complete abandon and humility. Although his responses were brief yet candid, you will find that they urge you to consider your own process of pursuit of a creative art form.

You have worked with the choreographer previously, during your own training with Kalakshetra. Now, you are established as a guru yourself in SIFAS. How do you feel working with your guru? And that too alongside with your current students? How is this experience different?

Sheejith Sir was my class teacher in my final year at Kalakshetra. As a guru, Sheejith Sir is as always very strict, especially when it comes to technical or traditional aspects of the dance form. While he remains friendly as a person, he is very focused on the art form and is particular that the Kalakshetra tradition be maintained. In his classes, you will find that such focus is emphasised.

But what a wonderful person he is and "extra talented" too. Further to dance forms, he also knows how to play the mridangam and compose music. In fact, the musical score of Krishna Bharatham is composed by himself and his wife.

With regard to the students, I have found that they have learnt a lot from this experience and have in fact become more disciplined.

It is interesting that you speak of discipline. I think one of the difficulties teachers of SIFAS have often had with students is their lack of focus on their respective art form. This is understandable especially  in light of the fact, that here in Singapore, the pursuit of the art form is a hobby to which only a few hours are dedicated while their primary focus is their studies or career. Would you say this has changed? Do you find them to be more inspired?

Of course! The students have become inspired both by the way he teaches the dance and also by the way he conducts himself and the classroom. Let me explain.

When Sheejith Sir starts the class, he turns on the electronic tambura and the sruthi is allowed to fill the classroom and remain in the class throughout the session. When the students hear the tone of the sruthi, they too become calm and inevitably more disciplined. 

Further to this, I find that the way he conducts the class seems to influence their behaviour; toward making them better human beings. I have found ego issues and insecurities to become dispelled. There has also been an improvement in general class conduct which I hope will remain long after the production is over - punctuality is one example. ALL are in early, at least a few minutes before the start of a session.  This is a rare occurrence in SIFAS.

You are yourself a young artiste and would be performing at the Esplanade with the students and your teacher, this must be a special experience for you.


Dancing with my teacher and my best friend, Shyam (also a guru at SIFAS) on a foreign stage is quite the experience. When I am in front of Sheejith sir, I feel as I had those days back in college (kalakshetra). He also treats us that way, as one of his own.

That statement seems to suggest the humility that the teachers of kalakshetra have imparted to those like yourself, the understanding that it is a continuous process of learning. 

In terms of ego, it is often easy for an artiste to get carried away with the limelight. What is your opinion on this and what would be your advice to other aspiring young artistes? How would you suggest they go about this in their day to day efforts in pursuing an art form?

I would ask them to be happy with the opportunity and give it sufficient justice. The quality of your performance as opposed to the quantity (of time) of exposure speaks volume.