While there are around half a dozen performing art institutes in Qatar, the upcoming Swasthi Academy for Excellence, by Malayalam film actress Lakshana, promises to be different in how focused it aspires to be when it comes to honing fine talents to their utmost limits.
The institute, located at a villa in Abu Hamour, is all set to launch on April 22 as the Doha-based actress will have popular Malayalam movie stars Navya Nair and Suresh Gopi come down for the inauguration ceremony. They will be joined by dignitaries such as Dr R Seetharaman, Group CEO of Doha Bank, and doctor-educationist-philanthropist Dr Mohan Thomas.
“Nair will also be conducting a workshop on dance and acting for those who have registered in our academy and also those who are keen to join us,” Lakshana tells Community, adding that her institute is not bound by age group. “While the focus is on the young, it is for everybody from 4 to 40 and beyond.”
Being a passionate dancer, opening this institute in Doha was destined to happen for Lakshana. “I have always had a passion for dance and as a trained classical dancer, I would perform Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam and Kuchipudi. So I wanted to make use of these dance forms in my life. After my marriage, I spoke to my husband Sajith Pillai about my dream to help others who are talented, we began wondering how we could make this happen,” she says.
Having developed some good connections in the film industry that she used to work in, Lakshana spoke with her co-stars about her idea to start such an institute. “They all said that they will support me through this. ‘You just start and we will all come down and give lessons to the kids’, they said. I felt encouraged. Then, I discussed with my husband and we decided we should start this institute. It’s not as much for business as it is for my passion as I would really love to develop young talents into realising their full potential,” she explains.
“I often see kids performing well but they lack a strong foundation,” Lakshana continues, “So I wanted to start an initiative where we facilitate good training for the young so that they strengthen their base in that art form, which is key. I want to be part of building a new, good world with good talent.”
How is Swasthi different from other performing art institutes in Doha? 
“Our focus is on deeply developing talent,” Pillai explains, “While there are other performing art institutes in Qatar, people usually join a bunch of courses there and keep paying the fees just so that they keep themselves engaged. Here, we believe in honing our patrons’ maximum potential and also offer them opportunities to connect with the industry, be it in the field of dance, music or film. Moreover, when you associate yourselves with instructors who are masters of their craft, that spark will rub off on you.”
The institute offers training in a range of art forms such as classical dance (Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam, Kuchipudi, Kerala Nadanam), folk dance, western dance, Bollywood, Zumba, tango, salsa; Carnatic music vocals, Western instrumentals like guitar, violin, drums and keyboard; and also yoga and wellness classes. The classes are slated to begin from the first week of May.
For the couple who has been living in Doha for five years, the plan has been in consideration for long, but things came together only in the recent months. “This year, I really wanted to do something about it and Sajith has been highly supportive,” Lakshana says. “The seed of the idea was with us for two years. But getting permissions and sponsors in place takes time. Once those were in place in February, we moved forward quickly.”
With an expert panel of teachers on board, they are chasing perfection, says Lakshana. “Thankfully, everything has been quite easy for us until now; be it getting instructors to join us or preparing the villa for the classes. We are excited about throwing our doors open to Doha.”