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Rhythm of her life

Her first love - classical dance

PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

BACK TO DANCE Laya

In keeping with her name, she has invited true rhythm into her life. Recently married (in June to be exact) to a radiation oncologist based in LA , Laya has simply bid goodbye to her film career. It is by no means an easy choice to make. "I kept myself rooted to the fact that a movie career for me would be thus far and no further. My marriage would not be an extension of my cinema life. I made my decisions to make the best use of my talent and interest in classical dance and, of course, academics.

For her, it was an arranged marriage, with her in-laws also settled abroad. "I am waiting for my visa. I would like to pick up the threads of my first love - dance, now that I can concentrate and give my best to it," she says, adding, " Multi-tasking is all right, but then in an art form like classical dance there is no fifty-fifty. It's got to be 100 percent dedication. I could not do that while handling a film career, though I could handle academics to a certain extent,'' she pauses trying to explain what she means.

"Despite my passion, I had to give Bharatanatyam a break because of my busy shoots." Winner of three Nandi awards, Laya's favourite role to date is her character in Missamma. "No regrets for leaving a lucrative career as I was here more out of my enthusiasm to act rather than the monetary returns. And I have lovely memories and roles to cherish for a lifetime. Now, I would like to give my personal life and dance my best," she signs off.

RANEE KUMAR

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