29-year-old dancer, Navi Indran Pillai was diagnosed with breast cancer 6 years ago. As she was only 22 at that time, her pursuit and dreams of becoming a renowned classical dancer was brought to a halt by the unfortunate diagnosis as she was undergoing various treatments such as chemotheraphy and radiation for over a year in this battle.
Following that, the young woman went to Australia to pursue her masters and all was well in her world. She returned every now and then for check-ups with her oncologist. However in 2018, something unusual was found in her liver. The cancer had relapsed at stage 4 and had also spread to her liver and backbone. She felt her world come crashing down on her when she learnt that she had to undergo treatment for the rest of her life.
Unfortunately her cancer cells are very aggressive and her body requires medication to live. With the insurance funds depleting and each of her prescription costing about RM15,000 (inclusive of hospital bills) Navi decided to take matters into her own hands.
A strong believer that what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger, Navi has decided to take the stage once again in an effort to raise funds for her treatment and to help anyone else who is suffering the same fate as her. RAAGA managed to have a quick chat with her and this is what we learnt about this beautiful young woman and how we can help as a community.
RAAGA: Why did you start dancing and how has it enriched your life?
Navi: I started dancing at the tender age of 6. Basically it was my mother who wanted us, my sister and I, to dance. After some years, my love for dance grew and from there my passion for dance begun. Through dance I can connect with myself and I am able to express myself.
RAAGA: How is dancing post cancer?
Navi: Honestly, it is very tough but I try my level best. It gets very tiring for me but this is something that I have always wanted to do. It has been over 6 years since I completely stopped dancing due to my diagnosis but I am determined to get back on stage and show the world how cancer did not and will not stop me. It may have slowed me down, but I will never allow it to stop me from fulfilling my hopes and dreams.
RAAGA: What are you expecting as far as the turn out? How much are you expecting to raise?
Navi: I would like to raise as much funds as I can, to not only help me, but to help others as well. I really want to try and raise funds for few NGOs that I am currently working with as well. So the more that I can raise, the better. Like I said, my treatments are life long, so as long as I am alive, I will continue to fight, continue to inspire and continue to spread awareness, joy, happiness and love. With the help of many, we can make a difference together.
RAAGA: What are you going to use the funds for?
Navi: The funds will be mainly used to assist my treatment bills, as well as further events and productions pertaining to fund raising. It will also be donated to some NGOs, mainly to the NGOs that I am currently working with. But my ultimate goal is to raise funds to help ease my family’s burden. The least I can do is try and help, but I cannot do it alone. I need help and in return I will dance and spread hope and joy for everyone all over the world. People can donate however much they want, and it would be all the better if they attend the show. I am back on stage after a very long time and would love to see people appreciate not just the art but me, a cancer survivor undergoing treatment performing despite the side effects of current treatments and post chemotherapy.
RAAGA: Details of the show (venue, time, ticket price, contact details etc)
Navi: Performing live, Bharatha Natyam solo debut by me in collaboration with Laasya Arts Academy. Choreographed by Guruvayur Usha Dorai, principle and founder of Laasya Arts Academy. Live music from artists from Malaysia and India.
Venue: Shantanand Auditorium, Temple of Fine Arts, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Date: 12 October 2019
Time: 6.01pm.
For ticket purchasing please contact Dharshini: 019-221 9314.
Silver- RM30
Gold-RM50
Platinum-RM75
Diamond-RM100
Want to help Navi continue her work to help others and herself fight this deadly disease? You know what to do!
For more chances to make a change, stay tuned to RAAGA!