Growing up in a middle-class family, I was blessed with parents who always made sure I had what I needed and raised me with strong values. They encouraged me to explore my passions, whether it was academics or extracurricular activities. Dancing was one of my biggest interests, so they enrolled me in classes to support my hobby. Although our area didn’t offer many opportunities, my parents found ways to help me pursue what I loved.
As a child, I joined in village events and competitions. When I was 14, I got enrolled into a Bharatnatyam class and began to excel in both dance and academics. But in the 10th grade, I decided to stop dancing to focus on my studies. Financial struggles and a busy schedule made it tough to return to dance.
Later, I completed a D.Ed. in Special Education and worked as a volunteer teacher at a nearby special school for three years. The pay was irregular as it was a government-aided school, so making ends meet was hard, and I found myself setting aside my own dreams.
In 2021, I married my partner of eight years and moved to live with his family. Unfortunately, adjusting brought mental stress and led to depression. Through it all, my parents stood by me with emotional support. Eventually, my husband and I decided to start our lives by living independently, which marked a new beginning.
I began working at SWS School, where adapting was challenging at first, especially after my recent struggles. But the school’s positive, supportive environment helped me heal, and slowly, my personal life found balance again.
Today, I believe in myself again, and I realise that age doesn’t limit my dreams. I still have time to follow my goal of becoming a Bharatnatyam dancer. These experiences have taught me that true happiness and peace come from within, and that no matter what we face, we can always find strength to keep going.
Gauri kashalikar -Joshi
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