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Smitha on a song

Yesteryear child artiste Smitha Madhav has grown into a level-headed actress in pursuit of creative fulfilment, discovers RANEE KUMAR

IN CHARACTER Smitha's role in `Prithvi' is small yet significant

She first faced the arc lights as little Sita in M.S. Reddy's Bala Ramayanam (the great epic famously made with an all-children star cast) . A decade has passed since. Yet, even today, Smitha Madhav's fan mail spans generations. She is often addressed as Sita. "During a dance programme at Guntur, I was stunned when an elderly lady took to the stage and embracing me, called me her Sita. I was touched by the affection,'' says the heroine of Prithvi, a bilingual, parallel film being produced by painter-turned actor, Sisir Sahana.

Is this a comeback after the hiatus? "Not really. If you mean I'm trying to make it to the movies, that isn't so,'' she says emphatically. "I can't see myself as the run-of-the-mill heroine.I am not on the lookout for roles or a full-fledged film career.If meaningful movies like Prithvi come my way, the answer is yes. I liked the film's script because importance is given to my character which, though small, is significant and calls for a realistic and sensitive portrayal,'' says the 20-year-old.A Bharatanatyam dancer, Smitha had always been flooded with offers ever since she donned the role of Sita in the mythological. Besides her track record as a child artiste, her music and dance performances, both in the city and in Chennai, her anchoring skills currently on display in TV channels and classic good looks are value-additions to her glittering resume. But all the success at such a young age points to a definite presence of talent and, on second thoughts, an ambitious parent. "Not at all. I have the most affectionate and caring dad and mom who are only eager to help me out with my passions,'' she says, her eyes melting into a softlook at the mention of her parents.

Watching her perform on the stage, many wonder what inspires her most - Carnatic music or dance? "I feel odd when people ask me to choose between dance and music. I can't. I have learnt both for the past 15 years. There cannot be dance without music. The original sadir dancers were well-versed in music too.,'' she reveals. Unlike others her age, Smitha's day starts with the lark. She's up and about with her workouts as early as five in the morning. After running through practice sessions, she leaves for law classes. Incidentally, Smitha is in the fifth and final year of law. Evenings are reserved for dance and music classes.

She then catches up with her academics way into the night (post-dinner) to retain her rank in college! With all the action, does she miss out on freaking out with friends? "Not really. I always find time to unwind. Frankly speaking, none of my bumper-to-bumper schedules tire me because I am doing them for the love of it.'' Talking of love, we would like to what's in her heart too. "I am not an idealist. I am a practical person but at the same time, sentimental about loved ones, whose list is pretty long from my Cleo (a Golden Retriever) to my old driver to my brother, aunts and so on,'' she says. This lady seems to have it all. But the party has only begun...

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