We had the good fortune of connecting with Uma Maheswari Kamalam and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Uma Maheswari, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?

I have been Dancing since I was 5 years old. Dance has always been my biggest passion,My No. 1 🙂 Working a corporate job was not a happiness factor for me, there was something lacking.

At the back of my mind I always felt that teaching dance and sharing my passion with the world is what will give me immense happiness, and therefore I took the plunge 🙂


Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I am a fitness Instructor teaching Zumba fitness and Bollywood dance fitness in specific. What I love about it and which is why I got into this profession is that these are a dance based fitness programs. Dance is my first name 🙂 and how I could not fall in love with this format. I did a licensed training to become a Zumba Fitness instructor. After the 1 day training, it took me months of self practice and learning to begin to start teaching independently. Initially understanding the music, setting a choreography to that, cueing, relating to my students..everything seemed like a challenge.I practiced everyday, video recorded myself, take classes by other instructors, watch many many videos. All these would help in self assessment and then re do the work. It took me years to carve a niche and find my ground in this profession. I am not done learning yet, I have a long long way to go and I am striving to be better each day.


Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I do not say this enough but my parents especially my mother deserves the maximum credit. She is the one who has always supported me since I started. As a child When I expressed my interest to learn the Indian classical dance, Bharatnatyam she went straight ahead in finding me a teacher who will teach and guide me. She has been there in each and every Dance performance I did. She is my biggest critique as well. Be it my recital piece, my costume, my expression, my style, She will not think twice before sharing her thoughts which has helped and continues to help till date. My father has always showed his support and encouragement by being at the performances whenever he could and taking all those beautiful photos which are my memories now 🙂 He never batted an eyelid to buy me each and everything needed for my dances.

Last but never the least My husband who has been my pillar through my dance career for the past 6 years.

How can I not mention some of my closest friends who are always there to uplift me when I need that!!

Presently I am a full time Zumba/Bollywood Dance Fitness instructor teaching at multiple gyms and community centers.

Instagram: zumbawithuma

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