Dance of Destiny

Narthaki Natraj, first transwoman to receive Padma Shri, shares her journey from tragic childhood to becoming a Bharatanatyam legend

- Swarna Srikanth

Narthaki Nataraj was born in Muthamizh, Madurai. Her interest towards art and literature was influenced by taking birth in the temple city, which she describes as a place richly blessed with "Iyal Isai Naadagam (Literature, music, and theatre/drama)".

However, the transgender dancer, who the world is proud of today, didn't receive much support from society in her early days. Recollecting those days, she says, "My childhood was very troublesome and tragic. As a child, when someone would give me a mirror, I could only see the Narthaki the society wanted to show me. I couldn't see my own face there. That was my condition. Society destroyed my childhood. But when I was attracted towards dance, I felt the femininity in me. This filled me with a unique and indescribable feeling."

It was her passion for dance and determination to succeed that made her travel to Thanjavur, take shelter of a Guru, and spend 15 years there under his guidance before moving to Chennai in 2001.

As she grew with the blessings and teachings of Guru Kittappa Pillai, she brought nuances in her performances. She enhanced herself with knowledge about dance, music, and literature. Her name, Narthaki Nataraj, was also given to her by her Guru.

She would initially dance to the prerecorded songs. She would only carry her grace and talent to the stage, leaving behind the many ornaments other artists wore during their performances. Due to financial struggles, the young Narthaki would think how great it would have been if she could also dance donning some shining and stunning jewellery. But when she approached her Guru on this point, she recollects the great words he told her.