Childhood dance partners reunite for special show after 20 years

PETALING JAYA: More than two decades after life took them in different directions, childhood friends Gowri Poobalan and Sathiakala Shan found themselves back where it all began – side by side on a stage.

The pair, both 49, reunited for a Bharatanatyam dance performance, reviving a partnership that started when they were seven-year-olds learning classical Indian dance together in Kuala Lumpur.

The performance, “Sashvatham – An Eternal Legacy: The Journey of Two Friends”, was held at the Shantanand Auditorium at the Temple of Fine Arts on Wednesday. It served as both a celebration of friendship and a fundraiser for the preservation of a historic community building.

Gowri and Sathia first met in 1984 while attending classes at the Ceylon Tamils’ Kalavirthy Sangam (CTKS) under renowned dance instructors Sivadass and Vatsala. Although their lives eventually followed different paths, their friendship endured.

Notably, the event was aimed at raising funds for CTKS, whose building on Jalan Imbi has served as a centre for arts and cultural activities since 1939.

“We started learning to dance together at the age of seven before going our separate ways in our early 20s due to career commitments,” said Gowri, a civil servant.

“Our friendship has never faded. We remained in touch and continued supporting each other.”

The idea for the reunion performance emerged in October after their mothers, who are also close friends, expressed a wish to see them perform together again.

When Sathia suggested returning to the stage, Gowri saw an opportunity to give back to the place that first nurtured their love of dance.

“I proposed turning it into a fundraising event to help CTKS, as it was there that we first discovered the world of dance,” she said.

The two-hour production featured five Bharatanatyam pieces under the guidance of choreographer Guruvayur Usha Dorai, founder and principal of Laasya Arts Academy, accompanied by live traditional Indian music.

For Gowri, the performance carried a message beyond dance. “Our friendship proves that with mutual support, anything is possible,” she said.

“It also sends a message that passions set aside because of work commitments can still be realised if there is the will and determination.”

Preparing for the show was not without challenges. Months of rehearsals had to be balanced against work responsibilities, while returning to demanding dance routines at their age required commitment and perseverance.

Still, Gowri said their longstanding friendship helped them quickly rediscover the chemistry they once shared as young performers.

According to CTKS president K Thanarajah, the association hopes to refurbish the 87-year-old premises, including improvements to its facilities, toilets and air-conditioning system.

He said preserving the building was important to ensure future generations continue to have a space to learn dance, music and the Tamil language.

“Support from the public, private sector and government is crucial to ensure that the building remains a hub for arts and cultural activities for future generations,” he said.