By Pearl D'Souza

Daijiwold Media Newtwork - Bengaluru (SP/PMD)

Bengaluru, Feb 5: Varna Sampath, who has her roots in Dakshina Kannada emerged as the runner-up at the 15th Miss South India contest held at Camelot Convention Centre, Alleppey, Kerala recently. Varna , who currently is pursuing her PhD in Life Sciences at Bangalore University under the guideship of Dr M Shivashankar, is currently working as a Biology lecturer at Cambridge PU College, Bengaluru.

26-year-old Varna also bagged the 'Miss Beautiful Skin' and 'Miss Talented' titles at the event held on January 27.

Varna hails from a multicultural family, who reside in the metropolitan city of Bengaluru. Her father, Sampath Kumar, is a consultant with a private firm and has his roots in Mulki, Mangaluru. He is also a retired bank official with Vijaya Bank. Varna's mother, Kunjumol Sampath is is the managing director of Cherish Foundation, a home for the aged and hails from Kottayam, Kerala. Varna is joined by her older brother, Vivek Sampath, is pursuing his MBA at present.

Apart from being the runner up for 'Miss South India Contest', Varna was adjudged the runner-up at Miss Mangalore 2014 at the pageant held at Moodbidri. “It was more than a previlage an indeed overwhelming to have won Miss Mangalore,” says an elated Varna.

Varna has also won the title, 'Miss Talented' by fashion ABCD. Adding feathers to her glorious cap, Varna was also ajudged the runner up for Miss Bengaluru 2016, held at Leela Palace, apart from winning 'Miss Personality' title there. The beautiful professional Bharatnatyam dancer and director of 'Varna Nrityashaala'(a Bharatnayam school), Varna, was a child actor at a younger age, and has been a theatre performer.

Eighteen beauties from five south Indian states participated in the event which was presented by Manappuram Finance Ltd and co-organised by Pegasus Group. Besides Varna Sampath, Carol Menezes, Nishitha Shrinath, Demina Rao, Shabnam Ali and Sushmitha were also from Karnataka.

Model and actor Sanjay Kumar Asrani, model, actress and writer Vanisree Bhatt, model and actor Rajeev Pillai, managing editor of Kanyaka - Toshma Biju, model and actor Kaushal Manda judged the pageant. The subtitles were also judged by a panel of experts.

In conversation with daijiworld.com, Varna reveals the good and bad of being in the industry, and her balance amid her professional heterogeneity.

Personal

Varna, What's your story? You've been a a classical dancer, how did your interest develop in this field?

One day, Biju Sam, one of the organizers for my dance recital approached me after seeing my profile. He asked me to give Miss Malayalee 2013 beauty pageant a try . I was just beginning my career as a lecturer then, and wanted to give my time towards dance and teaching profession.

 I was a bit apprehensive about the glamour industry, additionally, most of my friends and dear ones were against it. Yes, I did face quite a bit of discouragement to the extent of someone saying 'You are not cut out for it... a person with a bharatanatyam background is sure to fail'. But I kept belief in myself and was beautifully supported by my family in pursuing this line. And with God’s blessings, I won that competition too! This was the spark that started the fire.

Who has been your inspiration and support throughout?

Charan Suvarna has been more than just a guide to me. He has always encouraged me and built my confidence with Miss South India 2017. His encouraging words had instilled a ray of hope that I could bring home the crown.

My inspiration for this field has been nobody of sorts because I never thought about pursuing the field. But, the moment I took the plunge, each and every event i've completed, has been part of my inspiration.
Yet, the support I receive continues to surprise and overwhelm me. My pillars of strength have been my parents and my brother, Vivek, who also my go-to person. My dance and college students, friends and colleagues have supported me in this endeavour.

Pagents are known to also display a range of clothes, western and traditional, the former being labelled 'skimpy' most of the time. Did you have apprehensions about the clothes there?

I think myself as a blend of the traditional and modern in my way of dressing and carrying myself. I would refuse to wear 'skimpy' clothes, knowing that the pagent, though a big event, was a part of a bigger reality for me, which included my mainstream profession. I was mocked about it too, but this made my convictions of not giving in to 'conventional ramp-attire', even stronger. I even stictched sleeves to my gown, for the 'western clothing' round, and nailed it.

What languages do you speak?

As they say 'With languages you are at home anywhere.' I’m proud and humbled that I can speak a host of languages from Hindi, Kannada, Tulu, Malayalam and Tamil. And oh I forgot English.

Are you planning take a plunge into cinema?

Are you trying to put new ideas into my head? But certainly, if I get the right offer.

Any plans of making an appearance in coastalwood?

Why not! My appa would be over the moon. It would also be a check on my bucket list. An honor to act in the language (Tulu) my father was brought up, and something which will always be in my core.

Profession:

Glamour industry and professional past link:

Apart from being a glamour artist, you've pursued PhD. How do you balance the two? To what extent does one complement the other?

One lesson I continue to learn from my profession is the virtue of time-management. Before being part of the glamour industry I used to divide my time between dance and studies, then it further fragmented into dance, studies and profession. As I pursue a PhD, it’s now about prioritizing and my perception towards life. I believe, there is nothing that can’t be done 'today' , and no task is less important. Everything has its own value.

The two professions certainly complement each other, and both require certain levels of dedication and hardwork. Honesty and satisfaction matters here, alongside punctuality ofcourse that is crucial.

How has being a theatre artist helped you in your profession?

Theatre, is something that brings about the natural emotions and your intrinsic reaction. Sometimes you are so engrossed in it, you don’t realize you have an audience in front of you. The reaction you get from the audience is so spontaneous and the vibes they give you something any theatre artiste looks for.

In these contests too you need to be spontaneous and have a stage presence, both critical factors.

I started theatre when I was in college at about 19 years. I wanted be part of something which could bring about change. Something which would benefit and help the community. And so I was part of Parivarthan, by ECHO, which expressed the plight of juveniles in the system.

You were a child actor. Did that phase have any impact or influence in the years to come -

I had done a couple of ads and also acted in a Malayalam movie as a child artiste. I was 9 , at the time, too young to be impacted at a time when my primary was education. My parents were keen on me completing my Bharatanatyam Rangapravesha under my Bharata Shikaram late Guru Smt Padmini Ramachandran which also required a lot of dedication, commitment and time.

How has being a Classical Dancer help in glamour?

Being a classical dancer is more about how the dance alters you. It may sound cliché but it’s a way of life, wherein temporary quick fixes won’t work. Its complete devotion and darpana. The Miss Talent subtitle I have won I feel is the appreciation I have got for the dedication I have to dance, and I am proud of it.

I started dancing at the age of 4 under Guru Sri Raju Datar for five years and then continued under Late Guru Smt Padmini Ramachandran whose versatility has helped me improve my stage performances and perfect myself. I completed my dance exams and have a dance school of my own 'Varna Nrityashaala' where I train over 150 students.

Bharatanatyam is about self realization and competing and excelling with yourself, you always want to improve from your past performances. It’s the same with any other.

You've been a student of the prestigious Mount Carmel College. Was your interest in modeling retained even then?

No, I was more of a bookworm, in the college union and Indian dance association . A complete non- model type of a person. I wear the Carmelite attitude on my sleeve being a student there for 7year (2006-2013). I graduated in BSc (CZM) and as I couldn’t get enough of my college I returned to complete my Masters in Life Sciences in 2013.

You’ve judged dance events, did that act as a plus factor, when facing the judges at the finals with optimal answers. How different did you find this event from most of the other talent-based contests?

Judging and being judged are poles apart .When you are judging a dance event the pressure is on the contestant to perform against certain parameters, but when you yourself is a participant you don’t know what to expect.

This event was more with the impetus of a whole personality rather than just certain traits.

Glamour seems too offbeat for a general professional. Any hurdles or general prejudices against glamour that you had to face during your professional life?

Certainly. Many do feel that once you have a profession, you should not get into another, and how being a lecturer, this is a suitable platform.

What does this title mean for you?

I just wanted to prove to the many that by being part of a pageant you can still be yourself and win it. You can be modest too.You can be traditional and at the same time be modern. You don’t have to let go of who you are. And I have quite rightly stuck to my principles.

Message to our beauties with brains

I know it would take time to figure out one's path, but most eventually find it. Always believe in yourself and don’t limit yourself. There is nothing you can’t but everything you can. Wherever the journey takes you don’t loose you’re self respect and always remember your roots.

Message for the stereotypes and prejudices against the industry and against professional women in glamour.

Every profession has its own value and we should not undervalue it. I feel we are changing, we find many from various top professions coming into the glamour industry. So, as more women from various avenues come into the more acceptances will be received. I have been able to change the views of many of my doubters when I won pageants.So its just a matter of time.