BUTTERWORTH: A father and his seven children have become a bastion of traditional Indian dance, keeping their cultural heritage alive through performances across the country.
For 27 years, P. Arumugam, 54, has devoted himself to preserving the dances of his ancestors, a passion that has become a family tradition embraced by all seven of his children.
Every Deepavali season, the family draws crowds at shopping malls and events, captivating audiences with their colourful costumes and dance moves.
His journey began after high school when he joined a Penang-based dance troupe in the 1990s.
He said the family home was located beside a Hindu temple and since he was in primary school, he would join the temple dances during prayers.
“People encouraged my parents to send me to dance classes. I joined a group and danced with them for many years,” he said.
After getting married, he struck out on his own and established the Arumugam Dance Academy in Seberang Perai in 1999.
His eldest daughter Rupasri, 27, was born that same year and she and her six younger siblings, three boys and three girls, grew up with the dances.
Rupasri, who works as an airport passenger service officer, said dance was always at the heart of their family.
As Deepavali approaches, the family performs at functions across peninsular Malaysia, from temple celebrations to festive programmes at shopping malls.
Friends sometimes join them, swelling the troupe to 15 performers.
Their repertoire ranges from traditional folk and prayer dances to modern and improvised routines.
Rupasri said keeping these traditions alive was a labour of love as fewer people were taking an interest in traditional Indian dance.
“We take pride in keeping our culture alive and sharing its beauty,” she said.
Among the dances performed was the Mayil Nadanam or Peacock Dance, in which dancers imitate the graceful movements of the bird through sweeping gestures, gentle neck movements and the display of colourful feathers.
There is also the Karakattam, a folk dance originating from Tamil Nadu, in which dancers balance elaborately decorated pots on their heads while moving to fast-paced rhythms.
Rupasri’s younger sister Darhmini, 23, a hairstylist, said their father choreographed every performance.
“We practise regularly every weekend with additional rehearsals in the days leading up to a show.
“We make many elements of our costumes by hand but import some of the props from India,” she said.
Despite dancing since their primary school days, the sisters said performing never completely lost its excitement.
“We are always nervous when we first step onto the stage. But once the music starts and you get into rhythm, everything comes naturally,” Rupasri said.
