Nandita Rajshekhar: Dedicated Dancer and Student

Name: Nandita Rajshekhar
 
Major: Biology
 
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
 
Year: Sophomore
 

Ohio State is known for being a school of diversity: where students of all races and backgrounds are welcome and unite under the pride of being Buckeyes. This ideology hits home for Nandita Rajshekhar, as she is not only proud of her ancestry but expresses it constantly through her love of dance.  Multiple times a week, Nandita Rajshekhar can be seen at the RPAC in the wee hours of the morning, tirelessly practicing her skill and improving her technique; more impressively, she does this on account of her own motivation.  With her family hundreds of miles away in Georgia, no one and nothing is here to push her to practice but her love for the dance and for her culture.  Already pressed for time with her intense practice hours, Nandita somehow also finds time to manage a rigorous Biology major as well as hang out with her friends.  Maintaining high standards in the classroom is a must for her: she spends large portions of her day reviewing classwork at the SEL and even though at times this can lead to a relatively stressful time, she is determined to succeed.  With an unmatched determination that is only rivaled by her dancing elegance, Nandita is one Buckeye that is sure to make Ohio State proud.   
 
HC: Can you explain the kind of dance you practice?
NR: It is a dance form called Bharatanatyam and it is an ancient form that is still incorporated in modern Indian culture.  It is a religious dance that involves both rhythmic movement, expression and story-telling.  Since it is a religious dance, it is the dancer’s duty to tell the story of the Gods to the audience.
 
HC: How long have you been dancing?
NR: I have been dancing for eleven years and I recently performed my Arengetram, which is a dancer’s public debut that occurs after the dancer has mastered the art form to a certain degree.
 
HC: What is your favorite part about dancing?
NR: It keeps me active and it connects me to my Indian heritage, since dancing has a lot to do with Indian culture.
 
HC: Is it difficult to fit practicing dance into a hectic college life?
NR: It is difficult, but if you set your mind to it, then you can continue to pursue something that you love.
 
HC: Do you feel that there is an acceptance of your culture here on campus?
NR: Well overall OSU is very accepting of Indian culture, because they are always having different events on campus that reflect the culture.
 
HC: How do you manage the stressful life of a bio major?
NR: Honestly, I get stressed out and panic and I snap at my friends … just kidding … but not really!  They know I love them!
 
HC: What advice would you give to anyone who has a tough course-load and a busy life on the side?
NR: Make sure you start your homework early, try not to procrastinate and avoid drinking Redbull the night before … unless it is an emergency, in which case, go right ahead.
 
HC: What is something every Buckeye should do before they graduate?
NR: Jump into Mirror Lake!  I’m still working on that myself.  ;)
 
HC: How does life differ this year from last year (freshman year), now that you have experience under your belt?
NR: Freshman year is the time to have fun; sophomore year is the time to be serious … or so I am told.
 
HC: Where do you see yourself in five years?
NR: In a mirror (HC: haha smarty … but really?).  I see myself hopefully in medical school.
 
HC: If you had one wish that would come true, what would it be?
NR:  Success!