We had the good fortune of connecting with Aler Krishnan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aler, how does your business help the community?

My dance school is not quite a business – a passion project. While the opportunity cost of training and tracking the progress of each of the students is considerable, I think of it as a way to make a positive impact in the lives of my students – instill in them an appreciation for the fine arts.

I teach a classical Indian dance form called Bharatha-natyam, which originated in southern India and is one of the oldest dance forms in the world – an ingenious combination of music and movement that includes yoga like postures delivered in an artistically intricate manner. I am fortunate to be teaching this ancient dance form, as it gives me the opportunity to preserve and promote a rich cultural tradition that has been passed down for generations. I’m immensely blessed for being able to keep this exquisite form alive and pass it on to future generations, and give back to the community. The students also build a life-long foundation to keep them physically active and flexible.

My dance school provides a space for interested students of all ages, genders, and backgrounds to come together, experience and appreciate something that is elegant and aesthetically beautiful. Many students are from immigrant families and learning dance serves as a bridge to connect with their cultural roots. My classes foster an inclusive and welcoming environment, where students feel comfortable to be themselves, constantly experiment, and explore and grow as an artist. 

Additionally, I serve on the board of several educational and arts based non-profits, like the Indian Fine Arts Academy of San Diego. As a member of the non-profit board, I have an important role to play in giving back to the community by developing volunteering opportunities, outreach programs, and supporting the local artists. 

It is thus a blessing to be able to contribute to the physical, mental and emotional development and well-being of the youth and the community in a day and age where there is a lot of social turbulence.  

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

My Professional Life and Career is a balanced fusion of Technology and Art. As a Manager in a cutting-edge technology company and a creative artist running my own dance school, my professional life has been a unique blend of two seemingly disparate fields. However, I have found that the skills and perspectives gained from one role have greatly enhanced my abilities in the other.

My experiences in both my professional and artistic life have complemented each other and have allowed me to develop a unique perspective on how to tackle problems, think creatively and lead effectively. My background in technical operations has allowed me to bring a structured and scalabale approach to managing my dance school. My role as a creative artist has helped me to think outside of the box and come up with creative solutions at work.

The biggest challenge I face is striking a balance between my career, passion, and personal life. It is never easy, and forces me to stay super focused, organized and efficient in time management. I want to continue to inspire and educate others and promote the beauty and richness of Bharatanatyam. It has been a fulfilling journey, and I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue both my professional and artistic passions.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1: • Arrive in San Diego, America’s Finest City in our beautiful airport- get a first-hand account from me of the historical context and the very unique location of the city sandwiched between the ocean, desert, and the mountains.
• Take a stroll along the San Diego Bay / Seaport village to get a feel for the city
• Have dinner at II Fornaio
• Take a night walk on Coronado Beach
Day 2:
• Start the day at the San Diego Zoo, one of the most famous zoos in the world
• Have lunch at a vegetarian restaurant like Café Gratitude / Plumeria / Sipz
• Visit Balboa Park, home to museums, gardens, and the world-renowned San Diego Museum of Art
• Have dinner at Little Italy or Mexican restaurant like Lola 55
• Have dessert at Extraordinary Desserts
• Take a sunset walk at the Mission bay boardwalk
Day 3:
• Take a tour of the USS Midway Museum, an aircraft carrier turned museum
• Have lunch at Siam nara Thai Cuisine
• Visit La Jolla Cove, a beautiful coastal area known for its sea caves and sea lions
• Walk along the La Jolla shores beach boardwalk and catch the spectacular sunset.
• Have dinner at Piattis, La Jolla
Day 4:
• Take a trip to Tijuana, Mexico for a day of shopping, street food, and culture
• Have lunch at a street taco stand
• Visit the Avenida Revolución, where you can find a variety of shops and street vendors
• Visit the Little India on Miramar Road and catch the friendly shops and temples- finish the day with dinner at one of the Indian restaurants in Little India.
Day 5:
• Start the day with a hike along the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and get breakfast at the Lodge on Torrey Pines
• Visit the Self-Realization fellowship meditation gardens in Encinitas
• Visit the Quail Botanical Gardens
• Have lunch at Swamys café or in any of the nice Encinitas restaurants.
• Visit Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, a living history museum that recreates the city’s early days
• Have dinner at an authentic Mexican restaurant like Casa de Reyes or Casa Guadalajara
Day 6:
• Take a day trip to Julian, a small town in the mountains known for its apple pie and gold mining history
• Have lunch at a local restaurant like Miners diner or Julian Grille
• Visit Julian Pie company and have Dutch apple pie and pecan pie
• Go Apple picking / tour the Julian Pioneer museum
• Drive back and have pizza at Bronx Pizza, Hillcrest
Day 7:
• Take a bike ride / kayak tour of Mission Bay or surf in La Jolla Shores
• Have brunch at Caroline’s Café, La Jolla
• Visit the Cabrillo National Monument and catch the sunset
• Have dinner at Seasons 52
• Finale dessert – Whole Mango tart at Urban Plates

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give a shoutout to my first dance guru, who was instrumental in my development as a dancer. Without her guidance and mentorship, I would not be who I am today. I am proud to be able to pass on her teachings to my students.

I would like to give a shoutout to my family, who have been my constant source of support and encouragement. They are my biggest cheerleaders and I am truly blessed to have such a supportive family.

I would also like to give a shoutout to my students, who have been the driving force behind my dance career. They come from different backgrounds, and ages but they all have one thing in common, the passion for Bharatha-natyam. They are a constant source of inspiration to me. They have been a joy to teach, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my passion for dance with them.

Lastly, I want to give a shoutout to all the artists, dance mentors and choreographers who have influenced my work. Their creativity, passion and dedication have inspired me to be a better artist, teacher and performer. I am constantly learning from them and their work has enriched my own understanding of the art form.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/abinayaarts

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aler-krishnan/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abinayaarts

Image Credits
Prasad Photography, Newport Beach, CA

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