Dancing to bring a smile to orphans and HIV-afflicted

Dubai: From a small town in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh to the international stage has been a skip, hop and pirouette for 17-year-old Javvadi Ambica. While most parents would like to see their unfulfilled dreams realised through their children, Ambica showed a keen interest in dance from the age of five.

Her mother, Juvvadi Lakshmi, wanted to become a dancer herself, but she has no regrets as her daughter is now famous as a "hoop dancer". Ambica has a philanthropic side, too, with a genuine concern for orphans and HIV-afflicted children. She spends all her earnings from her dance performances on these children.

Ambica, who secured an A grade in the Class 10 exam this year, was in Dubai last week for a show at the third anniversary of Wave (Women of Andhra Culture & Vision in the Emirates) — an organisation of women from Andhra Pradesh, who gather together to exhibit their talents — at Emirates Academy auditorium in Dubai.

She enthralled audiences with her performance, which was choreographed to A.R. Rehman's Vandemataram. She also received a standing ovation for her contributions to children in need. It was a treat watching her execute intricate steps, daintily balancing on a clay pot with lit candles in both hands and, all the while, spinning a hula hoop round her waist in time to the rhythmic beats of the song

In an exclusive chat, Ambica told Gulf News that she was inspired by actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi for her humanitarian activities. The Praja Rajyam Party leader runs the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust and Chiranjeevi Blood Bank, which help the poor and needy free of charge.

Ambica says celebrating her birthday in December with orphans and HIV children gives her immense pleasure. On these occasions she gives them books, clothes, fruit and food. She also celebrates their birthdays as her own.

Starting young

Ambica who started dancing while she was a Grade 2 pupil and does classical, western and folk genres says she wants to pursue a diploma course in Kuchipudi dance form to become an accomplished classical dancer.

Though she has given over 600 stage performances, Ambica has never neglected her studies and has come out at the top of Class 10 at Adarsha Concept School in Tanuku, West Godavari district. She says her teachers have encouraged her to pursue her twin passion of dance and humanitarian service so long as she promised to do well in studies, as well. And she has not let them down.

Since her ambition of becoming an IAS (Indian Administrative Services) officer seems distant — with her dance and other activities such as learning karate, yoga and violin — Ambica has decided to pursue a career as a chartered accountant.

Ambica says that so far she has won 45 prizes in over 120 competitions at state and national level but considers the smile she brings to the children with her humanitarian service as her biggest reward.

Wave
Empowering women

Wave (Women of Andhra Culture & Vision in Emirates) unveiled its new logo, with the tagline Women Empowered, on its third anniversary on June 4, at the Emirates Academy, Dubai.

The organisation gives an opportunity for Telugu women to gather regularly to exhibit their talents and share their experiences, said Wave president Geeta Ramesh.

Wave is also involved in humanitarian activities such as conducting blood donation and medical camps, raising funds for the needy and calamities like floods in Andhra Pradesh, she added.

Wave has acquired about 300 books in the vernacular language for the reading pleasure of its members and also to help children learn Telugu, the president said. The organisation has twice conducted a Mrs Wave competition and held classes in cookery, etiquette and other disciplines, Ramesh added.