Aishwarya Sajan (L) and Devika Pradeep (R) | Photo:Arun M/ Mathrbhumi
Kozhikode: It was 7 am on Thursday and Aishwarya and Devika were still waiting for their Kuchipudi dress to arrive at the competition venue after completing their makeup. Aishwarya’s father Sajan breathed a sigh of relief when he finally got the news that the dress reached the Kozhikode KSRTC stand.
“We had given the dresses for stitching at Kodungallur. The stitching took longer than expected,” said Pathanamthitta native Sajan, who is also a dance teacher. Devika’s father, who runs a barber shop in Thodupuzha, arranged for a person to bring the dresses from Kodungallur to Kozhikode.
Both Aishwarya and Devika secured an A grade in the competition.
“After reaching the KSRTC stand, the person with the dress took more time to reach the venue due to the traffic block,” Aishwarya’s father said.
Devika who was anxious about the dress felt dizzy while getting down from the stage. When asked about this she said, “I felt dizzy after the performance due to sleeplessness and tiredness from travelling. I was also tensed thinking that whether the dress will reach on time or not.”
Aishwarya Sajan, a Class 12 student of Catholicate HSS, Pathanamthitta and Devika Pradeep of GHSS West Kodikkulam, Idukki are trained in Kuchipudi under Dr Mahesh Pillai.
Aishwarya has been learning dance from the age of three from her father Sajan. However, she learnt the dance item for the state Kalolsavam from Mahesh Pillai. Devika has been Mahesh’s student for the past four years. She has also been learning dance from the age of three.
Aishwarya had secured second place in agarbatti making at the state work experience fair the previous year. She had taken part in the state Kalolsavam when she was in Class 9. “Devika stayed at my house during dance practices,” said Aishwarya.
Devika was a participant in Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam competitions at the 61st Kerala State School Kalolsavam and secured an A grade in both. Devika had attended the state school Kalolsavam when she was in classes 8 and 9. She secured an A grade in Mohiniyattam and Kuchipudi at the time.
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