The Singaporean Indian dance community is grieving the loss of esteemed bharatanatyam dancer and guru Usharani Maniam, who died on March 3 at the age of 76.
For over 50 years, Mrs Usharani dedicated herself to Indian classical dance, nurturing generations of dancers and instructors.
She was instrumental in bringing bharatanatyam beyond traditional halls into schools and community centres, expanding its reach in Singapore. Indian classical musician Dr Ghanavenothan Retnam paid tribute, saying: “Her artistic legacy will endure eternally.”
Mrs Usharani’s journey in dance began at four years old, and by nine, she had already won a gold medal from the Mayor of Penang for her bharatanatyam performance.
She later graduated from Bhaskar’s Arts Academy in 1963, cementing her place in the world of Indian classical arts.
Her influence stretched beyond her own performances. Since 1976, she taught bharatanatyam at community centres and local schools, where her students won multiple gold awards at annual Youth Festival competitions.
Many of her students also performed at local theatres, temples, and major national events such as the National Day Parade, Chingay Festival and Tamil New Year celebrations.
Beyond Tamil culture, Mrs Usharani was passionate about learning and performing in different languages.
Celebrated musician Dr Bhagya Murthy recalled: “Though Tamil was her native language, she stood out for her eagerness to master and showcase dance in multiple languages. As a Kannada speaker, I was deeply moved by her dedication to performing Purandara Dasa’s musical compositions with such passion and elegance.”
For many students, Mrs Usharani was more than just a dance teacher – she was a mentor, guide and maternal figure. Former student Anuradha Parasuraman, 38, said: “She radiated compassion and maternal warmth. I was thrilled that my three-year-old daughter would learn from the same teacher who taught me at three.”
She fondly recalled their last meeting, just two days before Mrs Usharani’s passing, during a dance class.
“When I debuted at sixteen, she captivated students like me with her meticulous attention to detail, from costumes to practice routines,” said Ms Anuradha. “More than just a teacher, she was a source of love and guidance.”
In 2024, Mrs Usharani was inducted into Singapore’s Indian Hall of Fame in recognition of her contributions to the arts. Her influence, teachings, and dedication to bharatanatyam will live on through her students and the cultural landscape she helped shape.
She is survived by her husband, N. Subramaniam, two children, and three grandchildren.
