‘Ballet is for every body type’: Indian ballerina Dhvani Kothari challenges stereotypes

In a lively ballet class in Mumbai, the room bursts with energy as little girls twirl in their colorful leotards and tutus, some engaging in enthusiastic chatter while others struggle to maintain their balance. Amid this chaos, Dhvani Kothari, the founder of the National Ballet School of India (NBSI), stands at the side observing her students, who range from as young as three to a 44-year-old mother juggling a family and her passion for dance.

Journey into Ballet

Dhvani’s path to ballet has been anything but typical. At the age of 13, she explored various dance genres like jazz, contemporary, and hip hop but found none of them fulfilling. Her pivotal moment came when a Russian ballet instructor visited India, igniting her passion for the art form. “When I tried ballet, it was an instant click. I knew I belonged to it. I can just be myself here,” she recalls. After the instructor departed, Dhvani embarked on her journey of self-led discovery, training extensively in Croatia and Hungary. By the age of 16, she was fully immersed in her ballet education, spending significant time abroad despite facing the challenges of being an older student among her younger peers.

“Most of the dancers in my class were aged between 10 and 12. It was awkward being the oldest, but I grew comfortable with time,” she reflects. Her perseverance paid off when, at 19, she won the prestigious Bosphorus Ballet Festival in Turkey, a milestone that reaffirmed her belief that formal training could enable Indian dancers to thrive in ballet.

Establishing the National Ballet School of India

Dhvani launched the National Ballet School of India in 2019, quickly growing her student base to over 100. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced a shift to online classes, posing unique challenges for an art form predominantly reliant on physical movement. “Bringing ballet to a country that still didn’t understand it was a struggle, and transitioning to an online mode was tough. But with the support of my students, things began to fall into place,” she explains.

The establishment of NBSI required Dhvani to adapt beyond just teaching dance. “I was young and didn’t fully grasp the business side initially, but I was keen to introduce ballet to enthusiasts. Eventually, I learned to balance the creative and administrative aspects,” she recounts. The school follows the Vaganova method, known for its rigorous emphasis on technique, with students adhering to a structured curriculum over seven to eight years.

Challenging Stereotypes in Ballet

Despite her success, Dhvani continues to face stereotypes associated with ballet. Many people perceive it as strictly a girls’ pursuit or merely a hobby rather than a serious discipline. Common misconceptions include the belief that newcomers should immediately perform en pointe, neglecting the fact that such skills develop over time, contingent upon individual strength and training.

“Ballet is for every body type,” Dhvani emphasizes, striving to dismantle the notion that ballet is exclusive to slim figures. She acknowledges the pressing need for more male representation in ballet, noting that her school currently has only six boys. She hopes to inspire more young males to engage with this challenging form of dance, highlighting that classical ballet routines rely on both male and female dancers for a balanced performance.

Improving Infrastructure for Ballet in India

The availability of infrastructure for ballet in India is slowly improving, with venues like the Royal Opera House and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) emerging in Mumbai. However, Dhvani believes that the infrastructure still lacks adequate spaces for full-scale ballet productions, and many studios do not feature sprung flooring. She recalls her early training days in India, where dancers often practiced on hard marble surfaces, which could lead to injuries.

A Life Shaped by Ballet

For Dhvani, ballet extends beyond her profession; it embodies a way of life. “Every aspect of me is linked to this dance form. My sleep, diet, and even thought process are influenced by ballet,” she notes, adding with a smile, “And no, I don’t survive on salads alone. I make sure to include plenty of protein and occasionally indulge in a slice of chocolate cake.”

Looking Toward the Future

Dhvani’s ambitions stretch beyond merely teaching young aspirants; she aims to create a thriving ballet culture within India. Currently, students who wish to pursue ballet professionally often have to leave the country for advanced training and opportunities. “We train them and then watch them leave,” she laments, expressing her hope to witness more of her students perform and build their careers within India.

The perception of a ballerina as merely a stage performer is evolving, as Dhvani and her dancers have collaborated with Bollywood film sets, providing movement direction for actors and engaging with cultural institutions and brands. The NBSI also stages productions, fostering a growing network of students and teachers and creating more opportunities for ballet in India.

As the music fills the studio once again, the girls return to the barre, straightening their backs and stretching their arms into position. For Dhvani Kothari, this is where the real work begins—in a space that celebrates diversity, passion, and the belief that ballet is truly for every body type.