Ama Nethmi, the rising star of Sri Lankan dance, discusses her mesmerizing performance in Tharindu Ramanayaka's short film "This is not a Pearl" and her journey from Kathak to contemporary dance. Utpal Datta speaks with her about her love and passion for this art form.

Photography Sarasi Nethmini

In this exclusive interview, Sri Lankan dancer Ama Nethmi shares her insights into her captivating performance in This is Not a Pearl, directed by Tharindu Ramanayaka. This powerful short film highlights the devastating effects of chemical pollution in Sri Lanka's sea, presented through the unique lens of contemporary and traditional dance. Ama's choreography blends the grace of Kathak with modern dance movements, showcasing her artistry and passion. As she reflects on her journey from learning Kathak in India to performing on the international stage, Ama's story inspires dancers and environmental advocates alike. Find out how Ama Nethmi is shaping the future of Sri Lankan dance in this compelling conversation. 

“This is not a Pearl” is a short film by Sri Lankan director Tharindu Ramanayaka, highlighting the alarming effects of chemical pollution in Sri Lanka's sea. Tharindu approached the subject in a poetic and rhythmic manner, using the dance of a girl, who seems to represent a snail, embracing the pearl. The dance, choreographed and performed by Ama Nethmi, showcases her as a true artist of dance.

A Poetic Exploration of Dance and the Sea

Utpal Datta: I was captivated by your on-screen presence and dance movements in the film This is Not a Pearl. I'm curious to learn how you prepared yourself for that character, including your imagination, conceptualization, execution, and the final result.

Ama Nethmi: I was involved in building the concept with the director, Tharindu Ramanayaka, which made things easier than I initially thought. We divided each part of the story according to the music, which helped guide the flow. We had to establish a fixed idea for some segments, while other parts allowed room for improvisation.

Imagining the character wasn't difficult, but translating that into dance was the real challenge. I spent a lot of time thinking about the character's appearance since I had to represent something like an oyster. This involved changes in costume, makeup, and hairstyle without harming the dance or the style of the dance.

We completed the shoot in just two days, most of which took place at sea, which made it especially tough. As for the choreography, I didn't want the dance to look the same throughout, and the director shared this vision. We divided the story into different chapters and choreographed each accordingly.

I'm pretty happy with the final result, though I could have choreographed more with the camera movements in mind. Despite some challenges during filming, I believe we did our best given the circumstances.

The Calling

Utpal Datta: Why dance? Did you choose to dance, or did dance choose you?

Ama Nethmi: I believe dance chose me. From childhood, I had a clear goal—to be a dancer. I’ve always loved dancing because it’s the best way to express myself. It brings me so much joy; whenever I dance, I feel like the happiest person on earth. In those moments, I forget about the audience and lose myself in the movement.

Dance also helped build my self-confidence, not only as a child but later in life as well. It’s something I could never give up. I never had any other goals or doubts about my career; I always knew I wanted to be a dancer.

The Fascination with Kathak

Utpal Datta: Why did you choose the Indian dance form Kathak?

Ama Nethmi: As a kid, I was a huge Bollywood fan and loved listening to all the Bollywood music. Some songs featured a bit of Kathak, and that’s when I fell in love with the dance form. Ever since then, I dreamt of going to India to learn Kathak. While growing up, I also loved Sri Lankan traditional dance, but I never had the opportunity to study Kathak. I was always eager to learn, so I applied for a scholarship and went to India to pursue my studies. I studied at Rhythmosaic Dance Institute in Kolkata, a Kathak-contemporary dance company, where I had the privilege of learning Kathak under Dr. Mitul Sen Gupta. Her style mesmerised me, and I’ve remained a Kathak fan ever since. Later, I completed my Bachelor's degree at Bhatkhande University under the guidance of Dr. Veena Singh Ji.

From Tradition to Contemporary

Utpal Datta: What have you learned from your journey, which covers folk music to Western classical music?

Ama Nethmi: I began my journey as a Sri Lankan traditional dancer, deeply influenced by music from a young age, thanks to my father, a music teacher. Growing up, I listened to a lot of Sri Lankan songs, and I quickly learned that music is indispensable in traditional dance forms. The same is true for Sri Lankan dance; we cannot separate music from the dance. Drumming is essential, and my interest in Sri Lankan drums also led me to learn to play them.

Later, I started learning Kathak, an Indian dance form with a structure similar to traditional Sri Lankan dance, where music plays a vital role. While studying classical Kathak at Rhythmosaic Dance School in Kolkata, I also explored classical jazz, ballet, and contemporary dance. Balancing all these forms was challenging, but it allowed me to recognise their similarities and differences.

In contemporary dance, for instance, you can mix elements as you like, but you can only do so effectively if you have a solid understanding of the various styles. I’ve also learned that silence is a part of music, which emphasizes the importance of every element in a performance. 

A Journey of Self-Discovery

Utpal Datta: How do you see your near future and distant future?

Ama Nethmi: Currently, I am working on building something unique that I can design specifically for myself. I’m in the process of researching and discovering my identity as a dancer. I feel that I’m not yet at the point I aspire to reach; it’s a continuous journey I’m still navigating.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I realized there may be times when we cannot perform on stage. This insight has prompted me to focus more on dance films and expand my knowledge. I aim to pursue studies that will refine and enhance my dance style, allowing me to grow as an artist in both familiar and new ways.