In the mornings, Harenthiran Pulingam is a humble fishmonger. But as night falls, he takes centre stage as a classical Odissi dancer.
Leading a double life for nearly 20 years, this Kuala Lumpur native is a familiar face at a wet market behind the YMCA building in Brickfields, where he sells fish at his family’s stall.
Helping his parents since the age of 12, Harenthiran has mastered the art of gutting, slicing, and selling fresh fish. And surprisingly, it’s these same hands that move rhythmically when he dances.
As the principal dancer and teacher at Sutra Dance Theatre, he told FMT Lifestyle that his fascination with traditional Indian dance began as a child.
“I started dancing at nine years old. My aunty used to be a dancer, and watching her, I somehow got attracted to it,” revealed Harenthiran.
He began with Bharatanatyam under his first guru, Krishna Kumari, then fully immersed himself in dance after completing his studies, learning Odissi, a 2,000-year-old Indian classical dance.
“They once broadcasted Sutra’s production ‘Spellbound’ on TV during Deepavali. I watched it and was fascinated by the dance as it was completely different from what I learned in Bharatanatyam,” the 39-year-old shared. “Bharatanatyam is very structured with sharp movements, whereas Odissi is more fluid.”
As one of very few male dancers in the country at the time, Harenthiran said he had a tough time convincing his family about his passion for dance.
“Actually, it was my grandfather who said, ‘You are not allowed to dance,’” he recalled. Being the first grandson didn’t help either. “He told me, ‘Boys can’t dance, it’s meant only for girls’.” However, it was Harenthiran’s parents who stood firm and let their son decide.
“Every dancer takes on a different personality when they’re on stage. It’s that inner feeling which I love,” he said.
Today, Harenthiran is an accomplished dancer with decades of training in Odissi, Bharatanatyam, ballet, and contemporary dance. He has taken on major roles in many Sutra productions and has even toured worldwide to showcase his talents.
Harenthiran, a kampung boy, never imagined the places he would go or the people he’d meet through dance. “Dance made me into who I am today. It taught me discipline. It taught me how to present myself. Dance is what brought me all the way to the US.”
He said his family couldn’t be prouder of him as he juggles both careers with dedication.
Every day, Harenthiran and his mother are up before 3am to pick up fish and fresh produce from the wholesale market in Selayang. By 5am, their fish stall is ready for the rush of customers at 7am.
After completing deliveries on his motorbike, Harenthiran cleans up the stall around noon before heading back to his home in Petaling Jaya.
On days when he has rehearsals or teaches classes, Harenthiran quickly freshens up, gathers his costume and makeup, and heads to Sutra Dance Theatre, where he transitions into an elegant Odissi dancer.
For Harenthiran, there’s little distinction between the market place and the dance floor.
“I would never say that working in the market means you are downgraded and if you’re a dancer, you are upgraded. No such thing. It’s the same.
“My work is my rice bowl, and this is my passion,” he said about his dual careers as a fishmonger and as an Odissi dancer.
So, what’s next for this amazing man?
“I have one big dream: to perform a solo production. I’m not a young boy anymore, so I need to build my stamina to dance for one hour non-stop.”
As Harenthiran continues to light up the stage, his story is a reminder that you really can have it all if you’re willing to put in the hard work and keep your passion alive.
Follow Harenthiran on Instagram.