Bharatanatyam dance of India
Bakerton resident, Bruce Moodley (39) is the first male in Gauteng, to graduate in the classical art form of the Bharatanatyam.
The Bharatanatyam dance is a classical dance form of Tamil Nadu which is also referred to as artistic yoga and Natya yoga.
Bruce is an ex-Springs Secondary School learner who completed his BSc in science at the University of the Witwatersrand and received his honours in microbiology.
At the age of six years he developed an interest in both Bollywood and classical dancing.
“I gradually took a massive liking to the classical forms of dance rather than the modern ones,” says Bruce.
He says he always appreciated art but never intended to become a dancer.
According to him in SA in the Indian community it is rare to non-existent to find many male dancers.
It was only when he landed a gig on the Daddy Cool Vodacom advert with a dance school in Lenasia that his passion for expression, choreography and dance was unleashed.
Bruce says he will be eternally grateful to his first dance teacher Kirti Ravjee for always believing and encouraging him.
One of the first recollections he has that was a highlight in his dancing career was his Daddy Cool advert.
He says that really started everything and put into motion what was to become his newly found passion
“I have always loved arts but never envisioned taking part in it,” he says.
His official debut as a classical artist, happened when he focused entirely on classical dance at the Natya Kala Keseri Dance Academy in Benoni.
It was during a full classical item with other more seasoned dancers from the school at the Actonville Seva Samaj hall that Bruce realised how much he really wanted to be part of this dramatic art.
He has many role models who inspired him in different ways and through different mediums in his career and his life.
However, he feels the motivation comes from his fellow male dancers globally.
“They constantly strive to make headway for the male component in a female dominated art and this is commendable,” he says.
In all other fields his parents are his ideal role models as they stay focused, grounded and humble, factors that he believes are the best way to keep a calm head and mind.
He likes to listen to music and watch movies when he is not dancing, but he also enjoys taking part in choreography and creative performance arts.
It interests him to socialise with different cultures and people who really excite him.
“It allows me to really learn a lot more about people,” he says.
