When Jyotsna was three years old she left with her parents for foreign shores. Growing up amongst the innately rhythmic peoples of Africa, she imbibed the joys of music and the grace of movement. Her exposure to different cultures has given her a deeper understanding of the global nature of art.
Jyotsna’s yearly visits to India consolidated her appreciation for the Indian way of life and the beauty of its cultural heritage. Some of the classical dance performances she watched left an indelible mark on her young mind. She yearned to connect with this through Bharatanatyam. When Dr. Hema Govindarajan, a reputed scholar and dancer, took Jyotsna under her wing, it opened up new vistas for her. Dr. Hema’s mentoring ignited a hidden spark inside of Jyotsna, and she had her Arangetram in August 1999, after which Jyotsna moved to Chennai.
Balancing her time between a professional qualification in medicine and a demanding career in Bharatanatyam, Jyotsna has proven her versatility in both her chosen fields of interest. Being in the cultural hub, Jyotsna has had the opportunity to learn from Smt. Jayanthi Subramaniam. An able teacher and performer, Smt. Jayanthi Subramaniam recognised the potential in Jyotsna and encouraged her to enter the foray of performing art. Her deep rooted passion for the art has inspired Jyotsna to delve further under the tutelage of Sri. A. Lakshman. A devoted exponent of classical Bharatanatyam, firmly grounded in tradition, he has inculcated a consummate sense of the art in his student.
For Jyotsna, dance is a wonderful medium of expression. The creativity, the beauty of movement and the variety in dance fascinate her. Through this journey of self-realisation, Jyotsna has explored and internalised the many facets of this art. Realising the level of commitment, dedication and devotion required to attain some degree of competence, Jyotsna strives to reach higher goals. Her focus and disciplined approach have helped her carve a niche for herself. Jyotsna is an avid student of yoga, and is complementing her study of Bharatanatyam with lessons in music. Jyotsna is also honing her skills in abhinaya with lessons from Smt. Bragha Bessell, an exponent in her own right.
Jyotsna was born to dance. Her inherent talent and passion to perform captivate her audiences. She transports them to the worlds she creates on stage. They share the joys of motherhood…the pains of a separated lover…the bitterness of a scorned woman… and the grief of loss - all in the course of a recital. Jyotsna is a sensitive artist and is able to convey the most subtle of emotions. Her neat rendition of Bharatanatyam is infused with finesse and style. Her agile and graceful movements complemented by her emotive skill set Jyotsna apart.
Jyotsna Jagannathan is a name to look out for in the arena of classical dance.