Sravya Manasa, who has straddled the worlds of dance and dubbing for more than 20 years, captivates audiences with her unmatched talent, enthusiasm and versatility. With her remarkable contribution to Telangana’s cultural landscape, she has earned multiple honours and recognitions, including the esteemed Pride of Telangana 2018 and Telangana’s Talent of the Year 2019 awards. A native of Telangana, Sravya has exposure to a wide range of dance forms, including Bollywood and freestyle. She has done choreography for motion pictures, commercials, and corporate events. Her prowess as a choreographer has adorned prestigious stages. She has directed hundreds of dancers in breathtaking productions for events like Ramappa’s World Heritage Day and the 57th National Hockey Championships of India. Aside from her successes on stage, she has extended her artistic pursuits to the realm of dubbing, where she uses her voice to lend life to characters life and enhance story-telling with enthralling performances.
In a conversation with The Pioneer’s Subodhini Purohit, Sravya Manasa shares the high points of her enduring love for dance and dubbing, which is evident from her impressive portfolio that comprises over 1,800 performances and events, including a riveting TEDx talk in 2022. The body of her work in both fields has left a lasting impression on the cultural canvas of Telangana and beyond.
Love affair with arts began in family
Dancing has always been a part of me since I grew up in a home where theater, dance, and music were integral parts of everyday life. In fact, for me theater felt like home, with a mother who danced through college and a father who moved crowds with his voice. Every family get-together used to be a musical extravaganza, with my brother’s singing flawlessly coordinating with my dancing. Our imaginations were sparked by the bright energy of street plays at the famous Ravindra Bharati, where we attended numerous competitions and performances, thanks to our parents’ love of the arts.
Deepening her love for dance
With a master’s degree in performing arts as well as the core of traditional teachings of Dr. Sudhakar from Telugu University, I was able to deepen my love for dance and refine steps its genre in the midst of a kaleidoscope of artistic expression. I am passionate about Kuchipudi dance, but I also find great joy in the variety of artistic expression that exists in our world. I am enthralled by the limitless creativity that surrounds us, whether it is the appeal of theater or the captivating performances of international artistes. Although dancing has been my consuming passion, I have cultivated interest in other performing arts as well since my childhood. I have learned that my creative journey is as varied and broad as the canvas itself, having received multiple awards for my work at places like the Birla Science Auditorium.
Growing in the crowded streets of Hyderabad
As a young child, I was bursting with interest, growing up in the busy streets of Hyderabad. I was playful and mischievous, but never crossed the limits when it came to my profound regard and adoration for my parents, whose steadfast commitment and tenacity helped me crystallize my perspective on life from a young age. Having observed their hardships -from 1989 while relocation to a new city — and ways to overcoming obstacles in strange places, I was left with a deep sense of empathy and understanding. My brother and I were informed about our situation without needless opacity from our parents, who had never wavered in their dedication to openness in the face of hardships.
Childhood memories filled with joy
My childhood was a tapestry in which happy times were interwoven with experiences that expanded my horizons. My parents promoted us to explore the world around us with open hearts and inquiring minds, whether it was the simple joy of watching airplanes over the Begumpet flyover with my father every Saturday or the thrill of competing in elocution contests and role-playing games. Their kind direction not only helped me become resilient and self-assured, but also gave me a profound respect for the rich diversity of life. My story, which is based on teachings about love and resilience, is proof of the human spirit’s enduring tenacity and the transformational power of familial ties.
Bubbling with creativity while bound to a desk job
At one point, my heart ached for the excitement of creative expression and the chance to travel. But I felt boxed in working for software engineering. I was restless, and the idea of spending hours each day chained to a desk seemed oppressive. Rather, I was looking for a way to combine my passion for art with my flexibility to travel. Choosing civil engineering provided the ideal balance of mobility and structure. Drafting blueprints for actual construction projects took the role of drawing on paper, and I was drawn to the prospect of seeing my creations come to life. But despite the demands of school, my love for dancing remained unwavering. I was lured to the spotlight again as I spun around the college hallways. My spirit was lifted by the praise and appreciation I received for my performances; it was like a fire inside of me that would not go out. The cosmos seemed to work in my favour when I was pursuing my bachelor’s degree at Malla Reddy University. Every barrier was removed to make room for my dance journey, from the chairman’s personal favour to the teachers’ encouraging words. Despite the cacophony of auditions and the packed college hallways, I felt like I had a spotlight on me, making sure that my movement, my voice, was heard.
From lessons in the living room to the first guru’s advice
My parents noticed my love for dancing when I was just nine years old, and they made every effort to direct my excitement into an organised school environment. My inquisitive nature frequently rejected their instruction, even though they tried their hardest to teach me at home. My real adventure into the world of dance did not start until they introduced me to a dancing guru. I was inspired by Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit’s captivating performances when I entered my teenage years. Her elegance, charisma, and most importantly, her capacity to emote via dance, captured my attention. Every week, I would watch Saroj Khan’s renowned show, “Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan,” where I would watch every element of her choreography with rapt attention. After doing my chores and finishing my homework, I would excitedly take my place in front of the TV, ready to dive into the world of dance. Bollywood’s vivid beats and eloquent storytelling nourished my spirit, but Kuchipudi’s traditional art style was the one that really appealed to me. My artistic career was profoundly impacted by seeing the renowned Sobha Naidu’s captivating performances, which motivated me to learn more about the rich history of Indian classical dance forms.
Farewell to her engineering career at Hyderabad Metro Rail
As I entered the field of engineering, I was surrounded by the massive Hyderabad Metro Rail buildings-a territory not many women engineers had ventured into. I took advantage of the occasion, despite the difficulties, and gave the duties at hand my whole attention. But when life revealed all of its possibilities to me, a well-known tug-of-war between obligation and desire developed. My genuine passion, dancing, beckoned with promises of fulfillment and acclaim while my engineering job thrived. I was torn between the stage’s attraction and the pangs of a demanding work, and I was struggling with guilt. Every leave request I made troubled me morally since I knew that it would affect not just my workload but also my coworkers’ and supervisors’ confidence in me. Even with the initial assurances, it became more and more clear that my obligations as a professional and my artistic objectives did not align. The community, who were already aware of my dancing endeavours, raised expectations, which made the delicate balance I was trying to maintain much more difficult. One fateful day, on my way home, I made a choice that would change the path of my life. I confided in my parents, knowing that their steadfast support would help me get through the uncertainties that lay ahead, with a heavy heart but with determination. Their confidence, which was based on a profound faith in my creative abilities, gave me the clarity I required to take the risk. With their approval, I said goodbye to my engineering profession and stepped into the future with a fresh feeling of purpose.
The beginning of a prosperous dancing school
I left behind the stability of a job and set off on a voyage that was dictated by my heart’s rhythm. Starting with just one student and a small tuition set by my beloved Guru, I started to build the groundwork for what would eventually grow to be a successful dance school. I eagerly awaited the arrival of every student in my expanding class, nurturing a vision that went much beyond teaching. My modest studio grew over the years into a thriving community bound together by a common appreciation of dance. I spent many hours mentoring and teaching, and in addition to passing along dancing skills, I built relationships that lasted outside the studio. The families I encountered woven themselves into the fabric of my journey. I am incredibly grateful today as I consider the route that brought me to this point. Every move in the dance of life has a purpose, and every gesture demonstrates the ties we create along the way.
Dance-not a movement, rather language
From school stages to neighbourhood gatherings, dance has always been an integral part of my life. With every beat and every step, I found a rhythm that resonated deeply within me, transcending genres and embracing diverse forms of expression. Whether it was the vibrant energy of Bollywood or the soulful melodies of Tollywood, I danced with abandon, infusing each performance with my unique flair. However, dance was never simply about movement for me; it was a language that allowed me to express ideas, feelings, and narratives that spoke to the depths of the human condition. As I learned more about the medium, I discovered that I was drawn to the nexus of dance and poetry, where I could explore the expressive potential of poetry. One such performance that I can still clearly recall is “Still I Rise,” which was moved by Maya Angelou’s powerful poetry. I tried to combine the grace of Kuchipudi with the moving poetry of Maya Angelou in this performance to create a resilient and empowering tapestry that spoke to spectators well beyond the stage.
Productions that explored social concerns
Motivated by a desire to give every choreographic endeavour a sense of significance and purpose, I started a number of productions that explored social concerns and gave voice to those who are disadvantaged. Every play, from ‘Draupadi’, a moving meditation on women’s emancipation, to ‘Breathe’, a compelling story of a girl’s fight for survival, acted as a spark for introspection and conversation both inside and outside of the community. Even though we travelled as far as Germany, dance is a universal language that has no bounds. The spirit of our shows persisted in spite of the pandemic’s obstacles, inspiring and moving audiences at both government schools and community centers. If we look at the transformational potential of dancing, it serves as a reminder that genuine beauty is not solely found in physical movements but also in the profundity of our narratives and the legacy we leave behind.
The dream studio
Samudra is an arts academy devoted to Kuchipudi, a timeless art form, which my father founded in 2005. My career as a dance instructor started here in 2009, where I shaped the lives of enthusiastic pupils who were passionate about traditional Kuchipudi training. The development of IRA STUDIO has been a monument to the enduring power of creativity and dedication, starting with modest beginnings in my home and neighborhood community halls and culminating in the fulfillment of my dream studio. IRA is the embodiment of the creative and dynamic spirit, named after the Sanskrit word for Maa Saraswati, the heavenly soul. Our studio, which draws its influence from Vayu Deva and the Greek idea of motion, serves as a haven for performing artistes of all kinds-a place where passion and history fuse with creativity. Our studio transformed from a place where students were trained to a lively place where artistes expressed themselves, developing skills and creating a sense of camaraderie among artists. We celebrate the diverse range of human expression via every class and performance, and we extend an invitation to everyone to discover the endless potential of the performing arts.
Removing financial barriers so that dancers can shine on stage
The shimmering lights of the stage drew me in as a child, but my dreams were sometimes dashed by the reality of my limited resources. I still remember how disappointing it was to have to skip dancing performances because we could not afford cosmetics, which seemed like a tiny price but added up to a big deal in our lowly situation. However, my parents’ unshakable perseverance in the face of hardships imparted to me a valuable lesson: opportunities abound in places where doors close. Having seen my father’s difficult road to recovery from major financial setbacks, I became acutely aware of the importance of resourcefulness. This realisation influences how I approach both dancing and business, strengthening my resolve to get past challenges and open doors for others. As a dance instructor and business owner today, it is my mission to make sure that no budding dancer faces financial obstacles. I have built a network of support through partnerships and creative marketing that allows students to follow their passions without having to worry about crippling fees. I work to remove financial barriers so that dancers can shine on stage, from paying for thirty students’ makeup to negotiating with event managers to cover performance costs. In exchange, my husband’s event firm offers priceless assistance that makes it possible for us to work together smoothly and gain from each other’s areas of expertise.
Rapid Fire
Describe yourself: Passionate, crazy about arts, knows my roots
Spiritual or religious person: Spiritual person
Guilty pleasure: Movie night
Current Inspiration: Prabhudeva
