Saadhika
Empowering young girls through dance
Welcome to Saadhika, an initiative towards building confidence in young girls in rural India through the art of classical dance. Learning dance can create a social setting that fosters self-expression and allows girls to gain complete control of one aspect of their life while also teaching them much about themselves and their culture. Tune into the blog to learn more about this project. Reach out today to learn more about how you can join this project or volunteer.
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Final Performance
April 2019
After nearly a year of learning and practice, the girls put up a spectacular performance in Ipperthy while the whole village came to watch...
Yet this journey isn't over. With a computer installed in the school, we hope to continue this pursuit towards empowering these young girls.
About this project
Hi! I'm Lekha Mereddy, a senior in high school, who, apart from many other things, loves to dance. I began learning Kuchipudi at the age of 6, and though my form and understanding of the art has changed over the years, my love for it hasn't. In order to share the joy and freedom it has allowed me, I wanted to teach dance, especially to those who otherwise don't have this oppurtunity. I realised it would also be a great way to empower young girls in an often oppressive rural society, and so decided to begin this journey in my ancestral village, Ipperthy.
Why teach dance?
The primary reason I've wanted to teach dance is to share the joy and freedom it allows me. Young girls in India, especially in a rural community, are often subject to oppression. Learning dance could not only build confidence in them, but help them break free from stereotypes they are bound to; letting lose and moving their body freely, as opposed to the norm of being perpetually poised and compliant. They can express themselves in ways society won't allow them to, and gain control of one aspect of their life where they can portray themselves as they like. It would also teach the girls much about themselves, along with their culture, traditions and mythological stories, broadening their knowledge of the world around them and their abilities, in a way making up for the education they may be denied.
First Jathi
November 4th, 2018
Meet the 4th and 5th graders from the local Primary School at Ipperthy, who love to dance, whether its folk or tollywood. They have promptly developed an enthusiastic passion for Kuchipudi too, and here they shows us the second half of the first Jathi. Visit the blog to follow their progress.
Using technology
To install a computer in the village and give the girls access to the internet, Saadhika raised 25,000 rupees. This enables classes to be taken through a video-call, and allows the girls to practice with pre-recorded videos uploaded on to the computer. It will also enable the students to educate themselves on modern technology, a useful skill in today's world.
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