The Women’s Health Outreach Advocates hosted Sridevi Jagannath, Thursday, Oct. 23, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the media center. The event was hosted by WHOA member and representative of WHOA in student leadership, Joshita Varapadi. The members of the club and FVHS students took part in this event, by learning about the oldest form of Indian dance, Bharatnatyam.

Sridevi Jagannath, is a guru, a teacher who teaches young people Bharatanatyam. She has been a performer of one of the oldest Indian classical art forms, Bharatanatyam, for more than 30 decades. She is the Director of Laasya School of Dance and Music and teaches young kids as old as five years old, older kids and adults as well.

Jagannath said, “[Bharatanatyam] truly became my way of connecting to the next generation and making a small difference in their lives.”

Bharatnatyam is an ancient South Indian classical dance form characterized by its precise movements, intricate footwork and expressive storytelling, which combines emotions, melody, and rhythm. Originating in temples and royal courts, it has evolved into a global art form performed by both soloists and ensembles. The dance is rooted in spiritual devotion and storytelling.

Around 15-20 students showed up to the event to learn about Bharatanatyam. The students watched as Sridevi performed, and engaged them into learning a little bit about Bharatanatyam. Joshita Varapadi and Harshita Varapadi along with Sridevi also showed the foundations of Bharatanatyam. They also helped students learn how to dance some basic steps.

Junior Bianca Hernandez Gracia said,” I think [the event] went really well, and Sridevi was amazing and how she even kept the girls interacting and keeping them together.”

The event ended with Jagannath answering students’ questions. The event organizer, Varapadi also presented a gift to the Guru as a thank you for sharing the knowledge with young women.