Oyndri - Born to Dance

Shomriddha Shams Oyndri was barely three years old when she began accompanying her mother to her sister's dance classes. Renowned dancer Shamim Ara Nipa was her sister's dance teacher, who, looking at Oyndri's enthusiasm at a very young age, told her mother that the girl had a knack for dancing.

Proving her right, Oyndri now has won three gold medals in Bharatnatyam, Kathak and Lokonritya categories in Jatiya Shishu Puroshkar Protijogita 2018, organised by Bangladesh Shishu Academy.  It is a national level competition where children from all over the country participate. Out of 2,61,688 participants in various categories including dancing, singing and recitation, Oyindri stood first in the competition by bagging three medals. She received the award from the Hon'ble President of Bangladesh.

About winning the competition, Oyndri says, “I have been trying for four years to win this competition and finally I did it. My mother, teachers and family have supported me. This award was a gift to my mother on Mothers' Day.”

Oyndri has been trained under the finest of teachers including Shamim Ara Nipa, Shibli Mohammad, Shoma Momtaz and others in Nrityanchal Academy. According to her mother, Oyndri excels in each category of dancing separately. She says, “When Oyndri dances Kathak, you will not be able to tell that she's a Bharatnatyam dancer too, and vice-versa.”

Rehearsals and performances become difficult at times for Oyndri, since she is still a student. However, she makes sure that she practices every night before bed. 

In the future, she aspires to be an architect, but at the same time, continue pursuing her passion in dancing.