My name is Shravani Reddy Baddam. I was born and raised in Nizamabad, Telangana, India. I hold a degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering. Eighteen years ago, at the age of 21, I moved to the US after getting married. Before fully understanding the intricacies of life, I became pregnant with my first child, and since then, my life has been on a continuous journey. I am now a proud mother of two boys, aged 17 and 7, who hold a special place in my heart. I worked in the IT sector for several years before deciding to leave my job. While money afforded me material possessions, luxury bags, and extravagant vacations, their significance gradually diminished. Consequently, I embarked on a relentless pursuit to find something that could truly satisfy my soul.

Little did I anticipate that dance, particularly Bharatanatyam, an art form I had enjoyed observing since childhood without any formal training or encouragement, would come to define the course of my life. In 2018, I attended a mesmerizing dance recital featuring a mother-daughter duo performing Bharatanatyam. Witnessing their captivating performance inspired me to pursue dance myself. I saw reflections of both the young girl and her mother, who, in their unique ways, demonstrated that any age is the right age to pursue what you love.

When I began as a 34-year-old with no formal training ever, it hasn’t been an easy journey. I failed to convince local teachers to take me under their wing but eventually succeeded. As a dancer, over the years, I performed with much younger dancers but never felt awkward. I enjoy dancing more than I have enjoyed doing anything else, and when I dance, I forget the world around me.

We often find inspiration in things that are right in front of our eyes but never really realize what it is. Like that, I want to be an inspiration to the younger generation, but more importantly, to the older generation around me. Whether it is love for an art form or something else, I want the younger and older people around me to see me as an example that there is more to life than making money, and we should set aside time for personal growth.

Beyond dance, I am an ardent fitness enthusiast, regularly practicing yoga and strength training. Additionally, I hold a degree from the IIN and am a Certified Health Coach. Weekends hold a special place in my heart as they grant me the perfect balance of quality time with my family and moments of rest and rejuvenation.

“Dance Inspires Soul Journey”