Indian Classical Dancing Thriving Through Aerodance

Aerodance—the name evolved from Ranjani Manda’s passion for aerobics and dance. Manda created Aerodance eleven years ago as a hobby with only six students, but little did she know that it was going to become a grand dance academy with over 1,000 students taught in just a decade. Soon after beginning dance classes as a hobby in 1999, Manda opened her dance school, Aerodance in Fremont, CA.

“Ever since I was five years old, I’ve been learning kuchipudi,” said Manda. “I find dance the ideal way to vent all my emotions in an artistic manner and I wanted to teach that art to others.”

While Manda prefers semi-classical dance styles, she teaches all types of dances, ranging from odissi to Rajastani. Semi-classical Indian dance is often confused with fusion, but it is rather a mixture of the classical dances originating from various locations in India. These dances are usually set to a certain theme. Fusion, on the other hand, is an integration of classical and western dances. Manda teaches both fusion and semi-classical but her specialization is in the latter.

Manda is particular about not using songs with vulgar terms or inappropriate meanings, a practice that sets her apart from some of the other dance studios in the Bay Area. She explains that she edits songs to cut out the inappropriate language.

Manda says, “I have mixed feelings towards the dances in Indian films today. The lyrics are not always appropriate and don’t convey the right message to the viewers. I avoid this in my choreography and song choices.”

Manda holds classes to not just teach the students dance, but to also teach them to focus and understand the songs. She makes her students know the meaning of the songs and memorize the songs, so when they dance, they understand the meaning of their routines.

“Ranjani aunty teaches us what our dance means so when we make expressions, we know what the emotions are,” exclaims nine-year-old Manasi Vitthanala of Pioneer Elementary School in Union City. “We have the ability to make the right body movements with balance and grace.” Manasi has received over 20 awards and accolades for her achievements through Aerodance. 
 Indeed, several students agree that their academics have improved after taking “Ranjani aunty’s” dance class. Nine -year-old Neeharika Vogety of Stratford School in Fremont explains how her grades took a steady leap after attending classes at Aerodance. The focus and perfection to detail in dance made Neeharika apply that same tactic to her studies. Neeharika started learning at Aerodance since she was four years old and has received over 21 awards for dance. Says Neeharika, “Ranjani aunty connects every small detail, from finger position to posture.”

In 2010, two students of Aerodance, Sindhu Ravuri and Priyanka Shingwekar, won first place for North and South California division for their solo performances and went on the nationals to represent California at the All US Finals for dance. At the India Waves Dance Muqabla competition, both the juniors (kathak) and seniors (semi-classical) won first place. The team also excelled at the Boogie Woogie Dance Competition and moved onto Nationals. In Bay Area Telugu Association, the junior division received second place for a Semi-Classical routine. Aerodance is strenuous in their preparation for future competitions including India Community Center’s Youth sava, Charitable Care Foundation Dance Competition, and Gujarat Samaj Dance Competition.

Manda plans to open one more branch this year. The plan is to have senior graduate students mentor the young ones. In the years to come, she wants to be able to send all of her students to competitions. Manda hopes to get her students to go to the International level of Boogie Woogie in London and win. She is working on incorporating American dance styles such as Tango and Jazz into her dance routines.

Is teaching dance to South Asians a viable business? Says Manda, “It is definitely my passion and love for dance that drove me to start such a business. However well the business does, and however big the school gets, my priority is to maintain the quality of dance I had when I had just six students.” She would like Aerodance to be considered a place to learn about dance and Indian culture.

More information on Aerodance and its offerings can be found at aerodanceonline.com.