SAWN's Monthly Spotlight: Suchi Sairam

Suchi Sairam describes herself as a multi-cultural artpreneur, but we’d like to use another word – multi-talented. An outstanding performer, a committed dance teacher, and most recently, an award-winning author, SAWN is delighted to shine the February spotlight on Suchi.

Tell us about your ventures and what drew you to the arts? 

I’ve had the arts in my life for as long as I can remember. I found my way to Bharatanatyam at age 15, and it has been a deep passion ever since. Its place in my life has evolved over time. The fundamental aspects of the art form’s intellect, emotion, spirituality and physicality continue to inspire me every day. While you imbibe the best of your teachers as you learn, it is also an important personal journey to find your unique relationship with the art.  

A couple of years after I moved to the Twin Cities I was approached to teach. I started Kala Vandanam in 2002. It was just a small way for me to share art with others and stay connected when I was away from my teachers. I never envisioned or planned what it has evolved into over these 20+ years, but I am delighted that it has made a positive impact on Kala Vandanam students’ and families’ lives personally and artistically.   

I’m also an accidental author. I published a children’s book, Dancing Deepa, in 2022. I’m grateful and delighted it has been well received by readers, and has won multiple awards from organizations across the country. 

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment so far? 

Helping others find their magnificence, personally, professionally and artistically.

Did you always want to be associated with classical arts when you were growing up? 

I can’t say that I thought about it actively. It was present, and perhaps I just assumed it would be there with me. When I was younger, art was always going to be a serious pursuit, but never a career. For whatever reason, I thought I didn’t think like an artist, and so I couldn’t be one. It was also not a “financially sound” or “stable” career, so it was understandably not encouraged.  

I have a love for math and science, which led me to a career in engineering. I later found my way to careers in marketing, business, product innovation, executive leadership and entrepreneurship. But my art was always with me, and I was developing an accidental career in it along the way. As a result, I’ve forged my own path, true to my values, strengths and experiences.  

What advice would you give someone who is interested in starting in this field? 

• Master your craft
• Do the work daily
• Diversify your network
• Learn the business side
• Share generously with others
• Have clarity about your values
• Lift others while you lift yourself
• Play to your strengths - ALL of them
• You don’t have to do it the way others do it
• Never stop learning and upgrading yourself

Which celebrity would you like to perform with and how would you choreograph the piece? 

Oh, what an impossible question! The choices are endless. Well, if I have to choose one, it would be the legendary T. Balasaraswati. Her abhinaya (expressional dance) was just magical, and her dancing was so rooted in musicality and deep metaphorical interpretations of lyrics. For a twist and challenge, I would not use any lyrics or melodic music at all, just vocal percussion as the music accompaniment and choreograph a narrative story through that. 

Visit suchisairam.com to know more.