For as long as I have known Smitha, her deep-rooted passion for classical dance has been her constant source of strength and sheer joy. Coming from a strong background in Bharatanatyam, she always possessed a desire to expand her artistic horizons into Kuchipudi after our relocation to Chicago. Finding the right mentor is often a daunting journey, but we consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have discovered Guru Srivani Vokkarane, the artistic director of Kaivalya Arts. From our very first meeting, it was abundantly clear that Srivani Akka was the visionary guru we had been searching for. She immediately understood the depth of Smitha’s passion and possessed the exact vision needed to gently nudge her to the next level. I vividly recall how Smitha would eagerly look forward to her classes each week. Her excitement and energy would peak rapidly as they tirelessly worked on intricate compositions and prepared for various stage performances. I watched Smitha evolve from an amateur enthusiast into a confident, professional Kuchipudi performer under Akka’s expert tutelage, culminating in her recent Rangapravesham. This milestone would simply not have been possible without Srivani Akka’s unrelenting effort, expert guidance and unwavering support of Akka’s entire family. Words fall short in expressing our immense gratitude to Akka for helping Smitha realize her true potential and for giving wings to her artistic dreams. As Smitha embarks on an exciting new chapter of her artistic journey as a Kuchipudi teacher herself, we are deeply thankful to have Akka not just as a Guru, but as her most staunch and ongoing supporter.