I was not studious, but intelligent

Rajeswari Sainath, a famous Bharatanatyam dancer, recalls how beautiful the days of her childhood were I was born and brought up in Hyderabad. I did my schooling from Keyes High School as it was the only school in Hyderabad that offered Tamil as a subject and my father was keen that I learn Tamil. Right from my childhood, studies were my second priority. I always used to travel to Chennai for my dance classes. I did my intermediate from Railway Junior and Degree College. I pursued Law from Osmania University and Post Graduation in Public and Personnel Management from Osmania University. I hold a double degree in Commerce and Law. I was never a silent student in school. I was very enthusiastic, energetic, hardworking, determined and assertive. I was very aggressive in my thoughts. I could never take rejection. I always had sense of achievement in my attitude. I was not studious, but was very intelligent. I used to score decent marks without much effort. I did not Channelise my mind right into studies. I have been a very spiritual person from my childhood. I was very dynamic and was adaptable too. Apart from classical dance, I learnt Jazz too. I hardly attended any class in my college days as I was busy travelling. I was promoted to second year degree with backlogs in my first year. Once, when I went to college to write my second semester backlog examination in the third semester, I had a very funny experience. While I was revising my notes at the peak moment with tension and nervousness, a monkey snatched my bag from me and ran away. The boys who were present in the examination hall started to laugh. Mean while, a boy went running behind the monkey and got my bag back. This funny incident is still fresh in my mind. I hardly had friends in my school and college days as I used to hardly attend the classes, yet I had a good student life. I set a goal for myself. My Tamil teacher in Keyes High School always thought that I was a spoilt brat as I used to bunk my classes but when I started getting acknowledged by all for my talents, she realised and appreciated. I felt good and proud of myself as I was applauded by a person who thought I was an aimless girl. My uncle Karaikudi R Mani, who is a legendary Mrudangam artiste, is my inspiration. I admire him a lot. I learnt a lot of lessons from him on how to be perfect. He is a very down-to-Earth person who had an impact on to a large extent. I was born to dance. (As told to Purnima Sriram)