What Dreams May Become | Geetha Shankaran Lam | TEDxSunway University

Career and Artistic Journey - The speaker's 40 years of work in performing arts started at age five, driven by a childhood dream of global peace [1][2] - The speaker trained for seven and a half years and became a national champion winner in Barasanatium competitions [6] - The speaker's first award was for service to Southeast Asian countries for teaching nearly 8 to 10 thousand students [17] - At 56, the speaker returned to the limelight, embracing her scars and sharing her story through dance [18] Family and Mentorship - The speaker's parents provided a foundation of education, spirituality, and arts, influencing her work [2][5] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of teachers (gurus) in her life, highlighting the gurukulum system where students live and study with the teacher [5][7] - The speaker's family is known as a Malaysian family in the arts, with her children being multi-talented musicians and dancers [13][14] Overcoming Challenges and Finding Purpose - The speaker faced personal struggles, including depression and a health condition (atopic dermatitis) that impacted her ability to perform [10][15] - The speaker found healing and purpose in teaching at the Temple of Fine Arts, which allowed her to grow and help others [12][13] - The speaker challenged traditional expectations by dancing without makeup or costumes and shaving her head, making a statement about beauty and perfection [16] Message and Vision - The speaker advocates for using performing arts as a tool to create empathy, compassion, and unity in the world [19] - The speaker hopes to inspire millions, especially children, to love, live, and communicate with their parents [19]