We’re excited to feature senior Brian Johny as our very first Student Spotlight at DPAC! This new series highlights students who are making an impact through the arts—on campus and beyond. Brian has forged a powerful and deeply personal connection to the performing arts. A passionate Bharatanatyam dancer, he continues to break boundaries—challenging cultural norms and creating space for underrepresented voices in classical Indian dance. His story is one of resilience, self-expression, and the transformative power of the arts to inspire change.
What inspired you to pursue the performing arts, and how did you get started?
As a child, I would often attend arangetrams—the culminating graduation ceremony for Bharatanatyam dancers, marking the end of their formal training and the beginning of their professional journey. The more arangetrams I attended, the more I noticed a recurring pattern: every graduating dancer was female.
I was only eight when I first watched my sister go to her Bharatanatyam classes. Peering through the glass window, I saw a room filled with female dancers. Despite the clear gender divide, I was utterly captivated. The rhythmic footwork, the intricate coordination of hand gestures, and the powerful expressiveness of facial expressions fascinated me. The sheer precision and grace of the dance drew me in.
Determined to understand its nuances, I immersed myself in online videos, carefully studying each dancer’s movements and the foundational techniques. In middle and high school, my desire to dance only grew stronger, but fear of judgment kept me from pursuing my interest. I would secretly visit the studio and learn from friends, avoiding difficult conversations with my parents about pursuing an art form that, in their eyes, did not align with traditional male roles. When the pandemic hit, I transitioned to online training with a guru who nurtured my passion and deepened my understanding of the art.
Despite the resistance I faced, I believe I played a small role in challenging the perception of male classical dancers. While I am far from the first, my decision to step into this space was an act of defiance against rigid societal norms—an assertion that men, too, have a place in the world of classical dance. It was not just a personal journey of expression but a testament to the importance of breaking barriers and expanding the representation of men in the performing arts.
Do you have a favorite performance or project you’ve worked on? Why was it special to you?
During my sophomore year, I decided that I wanted to introduce to the Notre Dame community the art form of Bharatanatyam. Starting in August, I began searching for freshmen with prior training or experience in the art. I was overjoyed when I connected with two incredibly talented freshmen who were not only trained but also deeply passionate about Bharatanatyam. From there, I organized rehearsal schedules and began teaching a choreography I had created to one of my favorite Hindi songs, “Mere Dholna.”
Originally featured in the 2007 Bollywood film Bhool Bhulaiyaa and sung by Shreya Ghoshal and MG Sreekumar, “Mere Dholna” (मेरा ढोलना) is a hauntingly beautiful piece rooted in Raag Bhairavi, an Indian classical raga known for its emotional depth. The phrase translates loosely to “My beloved” or “My love who plays the drum,” with “dholna” being an affectionate derivative of “dhol”—a drum often symbolizing rhythm, heartbeat, and love.
The choreography was a collaborative effort between myself and a close friend from high school, Radha, to whom I credit my deep love for Bharatanatyam. Her unwavering encouragement and passion for the performing arts continue to inspire me. I admire her not only as a friend but as a steadfast supporter of my journey.
We presented the piece during Asian Allure, marking the first time Bharatanatyam was performed on the Washington Hall stage at Notre Dame. It was an incredibly special moment—one where I was able to share an art form I cherish with a broader audience, freely expressing a part of my identity through movement, rhythm, and tradition.
How do you see the performing arts fitting into your future? Do you plan to pursue it professionally, continue as a passion, or integrate it into another career path?
Following graduation, I plan to continue my Bharatanatyam training under the guidance of my guru, a highly respected and accomplished artist known for her depth of knowledge, graceful technique, and ability to nurture creativity in her students. Studying with her will not only allow me to deepen my understanding of Bharatanatyam’s rich tradition but also challenge me to grow as a performer, storyteller, and creative thinker. I am eager to explore the emotional and spiritual dimensions of the art form while honing my technical skills through rigorous practice and disciplined study.
In addition to my training, I hope to perform at open artist casting calls and cultural showcases, expanding my reach and engaging with wider artistic communities. One of my long-term goals is to prepare for and complete my arangetram—the debut solo performance that marks a dancer’s formal graduation and initiation into the classical tradition. This milestone holds deep personal significance for me, symbolizing not only years of dedication and practice but also a profound connection to my cultural heritage.
What impact do you think the performing arts have on campus and the broader community?
As a double major in biology and studio art, I’ve come to see the two disciplines not as opposites but as complementary. My background in science has equipped me with the tools for objective analysis, structured methodologies, and an understanding of how the natural world operates. It provides answers to how things function—from basic cellular mechanisms to the harder laws of physics. Yet, I often find science limited in its ability to answer why—why certain phenomena matter or why they resonate on a human level.
That’s where the arts, especially the performing arts, come in. They thrive on subjective interpretation, emotional depth, and creative exploration. The arts ask and begin to answer the deeper, often unspoken questions—Why does this move us? Why does it matter? Through the performing arts, students, faculty, and staff are invited to engage with experiences that go far beyond surface-level understanding. The performing arts connect us to the essence of humanity, offering a glimpse into what it means to feel, to question, and to live. In many ways, they illuminate the why behind the how—completing the picture that science begins.
What advice would you give to a new student interested in getting involved in the arts at Notre Dame?
The performing arts are for everyone—regardless of age, background, or experience. It is never too late to begin your own creative or artistic journey. Whether you’ve been dancing since childhood or are just discovering a love for storytelling, music, or movement, the arts offer a space for exploration, growth, and self-expression. What makes the performing arts so powerful is that they draw from the unique experiences of each individual. Every person’s perspective as a human being is different, and it’s precisely this diversity that enriches the world of performance. The performing arts remind us that creativity isn’t reserved for a select few; it’s a deeply human instinct, accessible to all, and essential for understanding ourselves and each other.
Brian’s journey reminds us that the arts are more than performance—they’re a powerful means of personal growth, cultural dialogue, and reimagining what’s possible. As he continues to deepen his practice and share his artistry, we’re inspired by his path and proud to feature his voice within our community. Through Student Spotlights like these, we celebrate the creativity, passion, and diverse perspectives that make the arts at Notre Dame so vibrant.
