I have always loved dancing, a passion that shaped my identity and brought me joy. Yet, as school and university ended, I was haunted by the fear of not being able to continue dancing. The regret of never officially learning a classical form of dance lingered.
Thankfully, I came across Arthy Ahmed Dance Academy. It was not just a lifeline for me but also for countless women who had dreamt of dancing in their childhood but couldn’t pursue it for various reasons.
Now, 90 such women are coming together for "Sakhi." Brac Bank TARA presents "Sakhi,” a heartfelt dance recital featuring women who have reconnected with their passion for dance. These adult beginners, coming from diverse professional paths, are now fulfilling their childhood dreams, united by the power of movement and the bonds of sisterhood.
"Sakhi" will take place on Friday at 6:30pm, with gates opening at 6pm. The venue for this grand recital is the Chhayanaut Auditorium.
Directed by Arthy Ahmed and with music directed by Nirjher Chowdhury, "Sakhi" promises to be a memorable celebration of dance and sisterhood.
Arthy Ahmed
Arthy Ahmed decided early in her life that dance would be her calling. She started dancing at the age of three and dedicated her education and career to this art form.
After securing an ICCR scholarship, she trained extensively in Bharatnatyam, completing both her BA and MA in Bharatnatyam from Rabindra Bharati University.
She further enriched her expertise with a Diploma in Teacher’s Training in Dance Education, majoring in Dance Psychology, from Madras University.
In a candid discussion with Dhaka Tribune, Arthy talked about her journey. During the pandemic, she noticed that many adults wanted to learn dance but felt self-conscious about doing so in classes with children or were intimidated by the process.
This realization inspired her to design a course specifically for adult beginners.
The course was crafted to cater to adults, focusing on convenient timings and breaking down steps to make the first move less daunting. “What started with 25 students in Batch 1 has now grown into a thriving community of over 400 members after 14 batches,” said Arthy.
Sariya Sadeque, a student whose Bharatnatyam journey began two and a half years ago, shared her experience: “Arthy is a great teacher who knows how to address different challenges in her students. More importantly, she loves to give her students a platform to grow and showcase their work.”
Speaking about gender disparity in classical dance, Arthy emphasized that art forms, behaviours, hobbies, and preferences should not be confined by gender.
Talking about her future plans for adult beginners, she said: “Many of my students have fallen in love with dance. They’re now performing on different platforms. My success lies in transforming someone who once thought they could never dance into a professional dancer. But, learning dance doesn’t mean you have to turn professional; it’s about loving, appreciating, and understanding the art. I want to ensure that no one’s dream of learning dance goes unfulfilled.”
‘Sakhi’
Talking about "Sakhi," Arthy reflected on the impact of "Riturongo," her earlier productions, and how she chose the theme of sisterhood.
She dedicates this performance to the friendships formed in her courses, particularly as such bonds are rare to form after school or university.
The theme of 'Sakhi' celebrates these friendships, the connections forged between women from different ages and professions. It’s a tribute to the power of camaraderie and shared dreams.
Arthy said: “I hope the audience leaves inspired, cherishing their friendships and realizing that it’s never too late to start pursuing what they love. If these 90 women can learn to dance after so many years, you too can chase your dreams.”
