"When I was 9 years old, I had the privilege of witnessing my first live rehearsal with my teacher, Dr. Sobha Naidu, and her Carnatic music troupe. She was dancing to the Daruvu 'Devadevi' in Saindhavi Ragam from the Kuchipudi ballet Vipranarayana, choreographed by Dr. Vempati Chinnasatyam. Watching her dance in perfect harmony with the live musicians, I was mesmerized. In that moment, I remember thinking, 'I wish I could dance to live music every day of my life.' That feeling still moves me to this day—it was pure magic. The synchronicity and unspoken chemistry between artists always brings me to tears.

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Rehearsals hold a special place in my heart because they strip away the external pressures of performance and allow us to focus entirely on the art itself. It becomes a sacred space where creation happens. In many ways, I love rehearsals more than the final performances, because they’re about the process, not the applause.

Later in my journey, I had the immense honor of accompanying my teacher as a vocalist in some of her shows. My background in Carnatic music, which I had trained in from the age of 5 to 18, led her to entrust me with musical arrangements for several of her final choreographies. These experiences remain among the most treasured of my life, shaping both my artistry and my dedication to preserving the deep connection between dance and music."