"TAPASYA" - pray for a soul

Meena Balasubramaniam

Meena Balasubramaniam graduated from Alpharetta High School in 2009. She is currently a student in the Georgia Tech class of 2013. Meena plans on majoring in management and minoring in psychology. She started learning from Preeti Shah in 2003, when she was in the 6^th grade. She enjoys dancing very much. She is passionate about Bharathanatyam and takes interest in many other types of dance as well. Other than dancing, Meena enjoys cooking and singing. She has been in the chorus since the 5^th grade and participated in a state honor chorus from 7^th to 12^th grade. She is one out of only two students in her graduating class that attended this honor chorus all 6 six years applicable. When not studying, dancing, or singing, Meena loves to hang out with friends, listen to music, or create new recipes. However, all of her pastimes come second to Bharathanatyam.  Meena has no desire to stop dancing and plans on dancing through college.

Service and volunteer work has always been very important to Meena..She is a part of the Leader’s Club at my local YMCA through which she completes about 12 service hours a month. She believes that the Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation supports a wonderful cause. She feels very fortunate to live in an environment that has provided her with so many opportunities as well as a good education.

A few words from Meena:

"I believe that every child should be entitled to some form of education and Ekal Vidyalaya works for just that cause. I am honored to be participating in this show because I know that the money raised from this production will be used in bettering the lives of many children in India.”

“I am very passionate about Bharathanatyam. Dance has taught me the discipline, dedication, and responsibility I need in all aspects of my life. I plan on keeping Bharathanatyam a constant no matter what else I decide to do in life. Dance is my outlet. When I walk into class every week I am asked to focus on expressions and dance steps. With this focus I am able to get lost in the story I am telling (through dance) and forget about all of my other problems or worries. Ms. Preeti is a great teacher who pushes me past my pre-conceived limits. She continues to have faith in me, as well as all of her other students, without fail, even when we are less than our best. She is very enthusiastic about teaching and she is committed to making all of her students the best dancers they can be. I could not have come as far as I have as a dancer without Ms. Preeti as my teacher.