Amitey or Sugar as she was fondly called by her batchmates; was loved by all for her simplicity, beauty and grace. She was a gifted dancer trained in Bharatanatyam and she’d often perform in the college functions. She was a fellow hosteller and our friendship goes back to 1994, the year we joined IHM Mumbai. She was a typical Puneri Maharashtrian girl, she was always well-spoken and diplomatic. I hardly know anyone who could have ever picked up an argument with her; she wore her smile well be it happy times or that of adversities. I admire her for her perseverance. On graduation she went back to Pune working with a top hotel, she got married and got busy bringing up her children but soon went back to her first love and her true calling. She kept doing regular recitals and shared pictures with us that made us all admire her. We kept telling her that she was made to be a great danseuse. She then opened her dance school Nritya Damini; following her heart of teaching Bharatayam to her disciples. Here’s the story of ‘following one’s dream’ and making one’s passion a profession. IWH is proud to present the journey of Ms Amita Karve Godbole, renowned Bharatanatyam Danseuse and Founder- Nitya Damini; in her own words:
“Dance is said to be ‘Poetry in Motion’ …..hence what better way to talk about myself than in poetic rendition….
Proud to introduce myself to the Indian Women in Hospitality I have been Born and Raised in Pune – A beautiful city,
A city known as Oxford of the East and a historically important one, Where I schooling in St. Joseph High School and college at Ferguson, Then, came Mumbai calling and studied Hotel Management at IHM Dadar, Dabbled in Hospitality, Finance, IT but the artist within me took over, Now, a Bharatanatyam performer, teacher and above all a devoted disciple. Loving each role and learning from each role, both of which is vital, Last 6 years I have been a keen practitioner of Yoga to improve flexibility of Body and Mind, I like swimming, Badminton and trekking, as it helps me unwind.
To me, Dance is rhythm immersed in emotion, Dance is my passion and devotion, I started learning Bharatanatyam from Guru A Soudamini Rao at a very tender age, Post my Arangetral in 1991, Dance took a back seat for more than a decade, With my guru’s blessings went back to dancing and founded Nritya Damini institute in 2009, For me, teaching young ones and adults, is an experience divine, Did my Masters in Bharatanatyam to learn the nuances of the art, Peformances at at Chinnamelam festival( Tanjore), Cuttack Mahotsav, International Yoga convention of BKS Iyengar set me apart, To showcase thematic dance dramas started a production house (Kaladarshan Productions) with a peer.
Our first offering, Geet Ramayan – Bharatanatyam Nrutyanubhav was a runaway success with five shows in its debut year, Our 6th show was a fundraiser to empower rural schools for Rotary, It is a classic example to highlight Rotary’s objective of using my Vocation for charity.
Being a woman is advantageous, for me, in this artistic profession, Coz with ease, women can communicate their inner emotions, The need to balance work and home front, in any field is inevitable, But with discipline, dedication and passion, it is easily achievable,
My journey so far has been an incredible one with God’s grace, hoping to achieve newer heights with a smile on my face.
Wishing IWH the very best in all its endeavours!!”
I wanted to feature her story on this incredible platform and I sent her a questionnaire, soon after our college reunion in Goa. I had to talk her into it! Finally I got her revert in a brief summary of her journey; true to her persona. She is a woman of a few words but someone who can essay the Ramayana easily through her dance form. I feel privileged to share with our readers and followers this enchanting journey. Just as she wished IWH the very best, we reciprocate the same for her and her academy.
