Straddling two different worlds with panache

Born in Madurai to M Ramu, an IAS officer, and Manimegalai, a professor of economics before marriage, Kavitha Ramu took to dance at the tender age of five. Beginning her training in Bharatanatyam with Neela Krishnamurthy, she went on to perform at the fifth World Tamil Conference held in Madurai in 1981 when she was just eight. After training for over six years with Neela, the transferable nature of Kavitha’s father’s job had her shifting cities during her early years of education, before finally settling down in Chennai. In the city, she joined renowned dance exponent Guru KJ Sarasa’s institute ‘Sarasalaya’ in 1989. Under the tutelage of Sarasa, she performed her Arangetram and went on to carve a niche for herself in the industry. 

But, it was not just dance that Kavitha was smitten by. She was also nurturing another dream simultaneously. “Having seen my father serve the state as an IAS officer, I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I was initially fascinated by the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), but over time, I decided on the IAS as staying in the state meant I wouldn’t have to give up dance,” explains Kavitha. While on one hand her performances were garnering rave reviews from dance critics, on the other, she was carefully making her moves to secure a job in the state administration. Kavitha graduated in economics and later obtained a PG degree in public administration in which she topped the Madras University. It was in 2002 that Kavitha 

began working as a full-time officer in the state administrative services. She served as the Deputy Collector and then as a Revenue Divisional 

Officer in Tirupattur. In the years that followed, she built her way up the ladder holding various positions including the Assistant Commissioner in the civil supplies and consumer protection department and the District Revenue Officer (DRO). As a DRO, she also served as the joint commissioner for relief and rehabilitation. 

However, despite the demanding nature of these portfolios, dance never took a back seat. “I was a widely performingartiste even before I gave the civil services exam. So, I’m an artiste first and there was no reason whatsoever for me to forsake one for the other. They are both important aspects of my life and they co-exist in perfect harmony. While my day job has taught me discipline, dance 

has been a way of life for me. It relieves me of stress and gives me the opportunity to express myself creatively,” says Kavitha, who is currently the General Manager of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. 

But, striking a fine balance between two diametrically opposite careers comes with immense practice and dedication. “During the initial stages, when I was posted in other districts, it was difficult for me to practise and avail frequent leave to participate in dance festivals. But over time, moving to higher designations, I’ve learnt to compartmentalise efficiently. I usually plan performances only during weekends so that my official responsibilities are not affected,” explains Kavitha. 

She is also gearing up for a performance at this year’s December festival and a thematic production on Radha. For the nonce though, she finishes with a word of advice to young women. “Never give up one dream for another. Put one foot in front of the other and just keep going,” she concludes.