New Delhi-based Ayush Jaiswal is an award-winning Bharatanatyam dancer and mentor. His book on self-discovery, The Internal Guru, has been published by Notion Press and is available on Amazon and Flipkart. As an online dance teacher, Jaiswal has trained students from different parts of the world. Some of them share their experiences of learning Bharatanatyam online and explain how Ayushvam Collectives has designed a systematic training methodology to help students develop as dancers.
Ayush Jaiswal hails from Lucknow and developed a natural inclination towards dance at a tender age, encouraged by his parents. He enrolled at an arts centre but later felt that he could learn better by exploring the world of dance independently, watching established performers and studying material available on digital platforms.
Jaiswal describes much of his journey as self-directed. Driven by a vision to become a dancer, he realised an important truth: “A guru shows the path; walking that path is the duty of the disciple.” Through years of intense solitary sadhana (practice), he worked on developing his understanding of classical dance technique. Ayush believes that the three non-negotiable core values are consistency, patience and hard work, which, in other words, mean discipline. Without discipline, he says, one cannot achieve success, as there is no shortcut to it.
Classical dance is a drishya kala (visual art); hence, physicality is of prime importance. It involves varied movements performed systematically, and the physical presence of the guru is valuable for instructing and correcting students whenever they make incorrect movements. Nevertheless, the lockdown changed the prevailing mindset. Performances came almost to a standstill, while online classes emerged and developed internationally, attracting students from other countries as well. This proved exciting for both mentors and students.
Ayush Jaiswal has been conducting online classes since 2023. According to him, several of his students have subsequently performed and participated in competitions.
Ayush makes some interesting observations regarding the advantages and disadvantages of online classes. He says, “Online classes can make students lose focus or become too dependent on looking at a screen. To address this, I focus heavily on memory. Once my students reach the intermediate level, I gradually remove video aids. This compels them to learn the material by heart, builds concentration and prevents them from simply staring at the screen.”
“You obviously miss the physical energy of being in the same room as your guru. Because of this, the effort is doubled. As a mentor, I have to work twice as hard and keep my eyes on the screen to identify every small mistake in posture. However, when a student has the inner desire to learn, this additional effort teaches them how to practise independently.”
“Many people treat online classes casually. They may log in late, switch off their cameras or become distracted. I do not permit this and maintain strict rules. Even though I teach online, I try to preserve the serious discipline of a traditional dance school.”
The teaching methodology of Ayushvam Collectives is based on a structured digital system. As Bharatanatyam is taught to students worldwide through an online medium, Jaiswal believes that certain training patterns and guidelines must be followed to maintain discipline.
Each batch is limited to six students so that they can receive individual attention. Classes are conducted through Google Meet, during which students are closely monitored. Their posture, hand gestures (mudras) and footwork are consistently observed, and corrections are made whenever necessary.
The core principles, or mool mantra, of the training are consistency, patience and hard work. According to Jaiswal, it is not easy to learn classical dance without working consistently, as it is a complex and intricate art form. With sustained practice, passion can develop into the precise technical execution of rhythmic movements.
A regular evaluation report, known as the Kala Sadhana Patrika, is maintained to analyse each student’s progress, identify areas of improvement and understand where further attention is needed.
On the first day of every month, students also complete a Sankalp Patrika, through which they commit themselves to working independently towards a particular level of improvement. Regular attendance is considered important, with students expected to maintain at least 80 per cent attendance and observe punctuality.
According to Ayush, he has taught 83 students online. Surekha Karumpudi from Pennsylvania, USA, says, “I feel grateful to be learning under Guru Ayushji, who is highly dedicated, focused and disciplined. Through his teaching, I have realised that online dance education can be detailed, enriching and effective. Recently, I performed Aigiri Nandini at a Women’s Day event, where I received great appreciation and applause from the audience.”
Vennela, an IT professional living in Estonia, says, “Bharatanatyam is my strongest connection to my history, roots and identity while living away from home. It has become as essential to my daily existence as breathing. Despite the pressures of professional life, this practice provides me with strength and a sense of pride. Bharatanatyam is the medium through which I remind myself that I am more than my professional title; I am also a keeper of my culture.”
Ayush further says, “I have experimented with Bharatanatyam using Hindi film songs, but I am more strongly drawn to the depth and soul of traditional classical music. The music has to inspire me before I can choreograph a number.”
In 2022, Ayush was featured as Lord Shiva in the song Mera Bhola Naache, released through Salim Merchant’s Merchant Records.
Ayush adds, “I would like to acknowledge the legendary artists, mentors and pillars of strength who have been profound sources of inspiration and unwavering support throughout my journey: Padma Bhushan Dr Saroja Vaidyanathan, Padma Shri Geeta Chandran, Guru Rama Vaidyanathan, Lucknow-based Guru Akshay Kumar Shrimali, Dr Himanshu Srivastava, Syed Shamshur Rehman, Sunayana Jaiswal, Guru Ratheesh Babu and Guru Vijay Shanker.”
Ayush learnt namaskaram and basic adavus from Sunayana Jaiswal and was subsequently encouraged by Syed Shamshur Rehman to participate in stage performances.
Ayush dances with involvement, displaying energy and an interest in both complex movements and expressive dance. He has been honoured by cultural organisations in different states of India, and his performance in Nepal was also appreciated. His recognitions include the Natwar Gopi Krishna National Award, and he was recently felicitated by the All India Dancers Association in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
Online instruction cannot entirely reproduce the physical presence and direct interaction of a traditional dance classroom. Nevertheless, Ayush Jaiswal’s experience suggests that a structured system, individual attention and disciplined practice can make online Bharatanatyam training accessible to students living far from a teacher.
