For any dancer, mastering the basics is essential. Vandya Mahesh works closely with performers to improve their technique, focusing on elements like posture, footwork, and facial expressions. Through personalised feedback and corrections, she helps them build confidence in their movements, ensuring that they feel comfortable and graceful on stage, and guide them through the nuances of movement, helping them refine their performance skills.

Choosing the right costume is crucial to conveying the mood and theme of the performance. Vandya Mahesh offers guidance on selecting costumes that complement the choreography and allow for ease of movement and comfort. She helps dancers choose colours, fabrics, and designs that align with the story they are telling, ensuring they look and feel their best.

Stage makeup is an art in itself, especially for classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam, where facial expressions play a significant role. Vandya Mahesh provides tips on applying makeup that enhances features under bright stage lights while staying true to the character or emotion being portrayed. From the dramatic eye makeup to the traditional bindi and jewellery, she ensures that performers understand how to create a polished and expressive look.

For many first-time performers, stage fright can be a significant hurdle. Vandya Mahesh helps dancers build their stage presence by working on body language, eye contact, and overall energy during the performance. By offering tips on mental preparation, breathing techniques, and visualisation exercises, she ensures they feel more relaxed and focused. Vandya’s goal is to help her students not only perform well but also enjoy the experience of being on stage.

Rehearsals are the backbone of a successful performance. Vandya Mahesh helps dancers develop a structured practice schedule, focusing on areas that need improvement while maintaining a balanced routine. She also assists in the final preparations, such as coordinating music, finalising choreography details, and ensuring all aspects of the performance are aligned.

Understanding the cultural significance behind each movement or expression is critical in Indian classical dance. Vandya Mahesh guides dancers through the deeper meanings embedded in the choreography, ensuring they convey not just the steps but the emotional and spiritual essence of the dance. This understanding helps them connect more deeply with the art form, enriching their performance.

Dance counselling is not just about providing technical advice; it’s about offering emotional support and encouragement throughout the process. Vandya Mahesh creates a nurturing environment where dancers feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and growing at their own pace. As she puts it, her role is to be a mentor who helps her students overcome challenges, build confidence, and reach their full potential as performers.