Richa Joanita Das, a Bharatanatyam dancer from Bengaluru, represented India at the 2026 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony in Glasgow, joining around 123 Indian dancers from classical, folk, and contemporary traditions. A recipient of theKarnataka Sangeetha Nritya Academy Scholarship for 2021–22, she was one of just two Bharatanatyam dancers from the city chosen for the performance. Speaking to Bangalore Times, she called the experience ‘surreal’ and shed light on why dancers should embrace every opportunity that comes their way. Excerpts:‘We were all united by the one language of dance’One of the highlights for Richa was sharing the stage with dancers from India’s diverse traditions. “I totally enjoy watching other art forms, especially contemporary and western styles. The beauty of how each of our vocabularies is different, yet sometimes coincides with each other and can work hand in hand. I think that was what brought us together: the one language of dance.” Around 123 dancers came together for the performance, and for Richa, staying mindful of Bharatanatyam’s distinctive grammar was the biggest priority. “Staying rooted to Bharatanatyam was a thing — keeping the style, keeping the geometry, keeping everything in mind, and the respect for how we dance Bharatanatyam,” she shares.‘The beauty of Bharatanatyam is its flexibility’For Richa, Bharatanatyam’s ability to evolve without losing its core identity is what makes it powerful on global platforms. “The beauty of Bharatanatyam is how it can flexibly adapt movements without changing the style of it, and that is what makes it stand out,” she says, adding, “It continues to resonate with peoplebecause it uniquely brings out stories and lines and also parts of us that express a lot with the face and body.”‘Never say no to an opportunity’The Commonwealth Games experience has also strengthened Richa’s belief in embracing opportunities, even when they take dancers beyond their usual practice. “Dancers should be open to accepting the shows that come their way. We must look at it as a learning experience. Never say no to an opportunity before you think what you can take away from the particular show. The minute I got it, I did not think twice. I said yes,”she says.
