"TAPASYA" - pray for a soul

Meghna Mahadevan

Meghna Mahadevan is currently a junior at Chattahoochee High School, class of 2011. She has high hopes for a career in business. Meghna began her classes with Guru Preeti Vinayak Shah when she was in the 4^th grade. She really took interest in the dancing and began to gradually dedicate more time to it. Dancing has always been her passion in life. If not Bharathanatyam, Meghna loves dancing bollywood style to film music. Meghna also trains in Carnatic vocal music. She plays in the community team and also in the t2 Tennis League. She has performed locally at several events. With more than seven years of training, Meghna hopes to complete her Arangetram shortly.

Working in the community is imperative to better our world and Meghna is very passionate about helping others because of the glimpses she has had into others’ lives who suffer through hardships such as living in the slums or living with a life threatening illness and can’t afford treatment. Having been blessed with living in a community where everything necessary for her to reach her potential is available, she wants to help others reach their potential and not have to suffer through these daily hardships. She has volunteered her time for the Atlanta non-profit Raksha.

A few words from Meghna:

"I feel that the core of many problems in our world is the lack of education. In our community it is taken for granted, however, an education can help a child immensely in ways other things can’t. Ekal Vidyalaya can help children receive an education and reach their potential. I am elated to take part in this show because I feel I am making a difference in someone’s life. We should all do our part in helping the less fortunate when we can.”

“Bharathanatyam is one of the most characterizing factors in my life. It is the biggest way in which I maintain my culture. I have no thoughts of giving it up because of all that it has given me. I have learned dedication and responsibility through the rigorous practice. I have learned different aspects of my Indian culture that I would not have received without this hands on experience. One of the biggest blessings I have received from my experience with Ms. Preeti is an extended family. All of my fellow dancers have become my sisters and Ms. Preeti, another mother. Ms. Preeti has pushed me past my limits and helped me to reach my full potential. Her enthusiasm is contagious. Each new dance we do, its impossible to not get excited about her innovative ideas. I can honestly say that I would not be the person I am today without Ms. Preeti and her dance class."