Collapsed twice on stage once; victory in HS section with 'A' grade now; teacher couple's favourite student Srilakshmi makes them proud

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Srilakshmi collapsed twice on the Kuchupudi stage on that day. The same Srilakshmi from Srivalsam House, Balussery, Kurumpoyil, won the HS section with an 'A' grade at Tagore Theater today.

This ninth grader had collapsed due to a respiratory infection from fever during the HS section Kuchipudi competition in the Balussery sub-district. Srilakshmi was taken to the hospital when she first fainted. She returned and reached the stage again, but she collapsed again. Even though she didn't finish the dance, the judges said her performance was great. Sadly, her mother, Shiji, did not know what to do.

Srilakshmi was relieved when her dear teacher Sabarish and his family came to help her in that unexpected fall. They then appealed and won a favourable verdict. Finances became a villain when Srilakshmi was about to compete at the district level. Moments when she felt like she shouldn't have danced well. A distraught Srilakshmi was held close by her dance teacher Shabarish, his wife and dance teacher Ranjini, and their daughter Devananda. Apart from teaching Srilakshmi free of charge, her teacher bore all the expenses for her dancing.

'We were the happiest ones when Srilakshmi contested at the district level by filing an appeal. Sri Lakshmi is the same as my Devananda" - said Sabarish, holding his dear disciple close.

Srilakshmi's father Ranjith is a driver. Her mother Shiji is also an employee of a private company. Srilakshmi is a student of Balussery Higher Secondary Girls School.

Dance classes from the age of three

Shabarish and his wife from Balussery have been teaching Srilakshmi dance since the age of three. Srilakshmi's sister Sridevi was also trained in dance. Sabreesh has been active in arts festivals for 30 years. He is a teacher at Saraswati Vidya Mandir School. He tutors students with the money saved from this job.