Nisrgaraje: Multi-faceted talent blossoming with intent

Nisargaraje Bhaskar Shinde has been a Bharatnatyam teacher for five years now; one might not find that a particularly engaging factoid otherwise except that she is only 15 years old!
This St Mary's School standard tenth student is not your average teenager, hazy in the head about choices, tangled in the crisscross cobwebs of teenage indecisiveness. Nisargaraje, true to her name, is a complete natural at handling responsibilities which might seem like a mammoth task to any youngster.

Bubbling with talent
Along with pursuing her Bharatnatyam dreams, she dabbles into other art forms like classical music, hobby classes for glass paintings, murals, ceramic murals, rangoli, mehendi, photography, without breaking a sweat! Working tirelessly, seeking perfection and mastery in her subject of choice is a trait Nisargaraje picked up at a very young age, "I started conducting Bharatnatyam classes when I was in standard fifth; it's overwhelming to hear the students call me tai," she gushes with all the exuberance that a budding youngster, laced with just the right dose of self-assurance and confidence, none of which is misplaced. Having started learning the dance form at the age of seven and took glass painting and fur toy-making lessons from age six onwards, she seems to very well understand the importance of perseverance and sheer hard work.

Dancer with a philanthropic bent of mind
In the last year of her Bharatnatyam training under the tutelage of her guru Sucheta Bhide-Chapekar, she plans to pursue an advanced level programme at Natraj Mandir in Satara, widely considered as the Mecca of Bharatnatyam. "I have already made up my mind," she smiles. And she has a plan to back up her aspirations. With the aim of earning for the program fees on her own, she recently organized an exhibition-cum-sale of handmade accessories in Malaka Spice, Koregaon Park, recently. Her lovely creations, crafted out of handmade paper, attracted quite a few curious onlookers. The earthy nature of the handmade paper bags, envelopes, bookmarks, pen holders helped her promote eco-friendliness. Despite her goal to save up for the future, Nisargaraje did not flinch one bit when it came to lending monetary assistance to a charitable organization. She donated half the proceeds of the accessory sales to Balaji Foundation, an NGO in Katraj. "I am closely associated with Balaji Foundation, an organization working for the betterment of orphaned kids. I love to help the kids with rangoli and toran making lessons," she reveals, adding, "Moreover, the exhibit helped me promote environmental consciousness, promote the foundation and forge my own identity, all rolled in one!"

Creative streak in her genes
She credits her genes for the creative streak that has made her an all-rounder. "My mom, Girija, a Ph D in Marathi literature and used to teach kids rangoli, toran making, etc. I inherited the interest in photography from dad, who runs a professional studio, apart from being a guest lecturer in Symbiosis and MCED Mitcon." She clicks her heart away, armed with a modest point-and-shoot Nikon camera. "My dad says I can get my own SLR only after I learn the ropes of photography thoroughly," she chirps.
Speaking about the future, she does reiterate that Bharatnatyam will always be top priority. "As far as the dance form is concerned, I want to end up in the same league as my guru. After boards, I plan to resume conducting classes for Bharatnatyam." She hopes to become a successful IAS officer some day. Till then, she's happy taking baby steps towards excellence in everything she does. "My parents are extremely liberal and supportive," she says as Girija Shinde smiles contentedly in the background, happy to leave the decision-making to their level-headed daughter.
—Bhushan Sawant