“If there was no Yana in my life, there would be no dance in my career”, says Saravana, the founder of Agnii dance group. (http://wn.com/saravanadhanapal)

Saravana’s childhood was without a father and with poor economic conditions as the family’s only money source was his mother, a banana seller. He couldn’t go to a proper school and therefore, got educated through evening classes. Since school was in evening, Saravana used to spend the free day-time dancing! From childhood itself, he found his interests, that is, theater, dance & gymnastics.

When he was in 11th standard, Saravana met Yana while she was taking one of her classes. His sincerity and skill could not escape Yana’s eyes and thus, she invited him for all her classes, and offered him the classes for free. Through the classes, he was imparted knowledge and body awareness for dancing, which he then incorporated in the dance forms (for instance, fire dance) that he does. He grew as a dancer and formed his own dance group. Today, The Agnii group is well known and has taken its unique dance style to other countries, like Spain, for cultural exchange.

Saravana has known Yana for about 10 years and still comes to her classes. He feels that Yana has given him so much more than just dance. According to him, she has taught him skills for life like confidence and courage, and motivated him to be beyond what he thinks he is. He says, “When I think of Yana, I feel very powerful, I feel a lot of energy in me”. Saravana appreciates the inner beauty Yana possesses and expresses his tons of love for her every time he talks about her. He acknowledges her honesty, her being an individual with no bias and her generosity.

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