Daniel, the eldest son of Joseph and Reena Varamuth, a couple from Chalakudy, Thrissur, Kerala, went to join the diocesan seminary, taking with him the Bible and the anklet that he has been wearing since the age of five for a dance program. Later, during his seminary days, God gave him a special blessing to include dance as a favorite of his life, even though he was fully committed to Christ. A few years after his ordination to priesthood, Father Daniel Varamuth was able to win a cherished place in the hearts many through his dance performance, especially through a Musical Album in praise of Blessed Virgin Mary, Ammayiloode Altharyileykk (To the Altar through The Blessed Mother).
He Wore an Anklet at the Age of Five
Reena, Father Daniel’s mother, was gifted with an artistic mind and noticed that young Daniel had an inborn taste for the art of dance. She saw to it that young Daniel got all possible encouragement and appropriate training early on.
“I started my studies in classical dance at the age of five with RLV Anand sir. I learned Bharata Natyam and Kuchupudi,” Father Daniel recalls his early steps in dance. He has also participated in school festivals and competed in folk dance and Ottanthullal (a solo performance combining dance and recitation). Dance became a part of little Daniel’s life together with his studies.
Father Daniel was a regular participant and winner in school arts festivals. He became the first male artist at the Sub District level many times during his schooling. Daniel, who took dance as a gold mine of his talents, made a firm decision in his life to associate with the God who had given him his talents. God chose Daniel, the dancer, to be his anointed one, as his mother has been praying for. And so he found God in the dance mudras he practiced for twelve years!
Can a Dancer be a Priest?
People were surprised when they came to know that Daniel, who had been dancing for so long, was going to the seminary. Some people even directly asked him, ‘is this vocation suitable for a dancer? ‘
“Having studied dance for ten or twelve years, I was sure that the studies at the seminary would never be a challenge because I was sure that my call to dance and my call to become a priest were from God,” Father Daniel’s words were firm and full of reverence. During his studies in the seminary Brother Daniel was very particular that his anklet should not in any manner affect the specific activities of the community. But he was given opportunities for dance performance while in the seminary.
“Whenever I was at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Kottayam, there was always a dance program of mine, whatever guest came or whatever event was organized. Bishop Alex Tharamangalam, the then Rector and present Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Mananthavady, gave me his sincere encouragement and support. Likewise Fr. Anthony Narikulam, Fr. Mathews Illathuparambil, Fr. Poly Maniyattu, Fr. Scaria Kanyakonil, and all others on the staff immensely supported me during that period. That was why I didn’t feel having any conflict between my seminary studies and dancing practice. These two things did become part of my life,” recalls Father Daniel.
A question he has been facing very often was, ‘Can a dancer be a priest?’ “This question carries along a lot of criticism. But we can give its answer in a simple way. When I joined the seminary, I decided that I would never dance again if God didn’t want it from me. But God gave me ample opportunities. Many of the girls who danced with me had to give up dancing while they entered another phase of life. But God has never let me down. The Holy Scriptures say that the talents we have received are not to be buried in the ground, but are to be doubled. There are many priests who are highly talented. There are those who preach the gospel very powerfully; and there are those who sing well. The talent I have received is in dancing. So I praise God through my dance. I want to spread the gospel through that.” Father Daniel explains how he can carry on his dance and priestly life together. There are many who appreciate and encourage him. There are also those who criticize him being dancer and priest. Once someone advised him not to dance any more. Fr. Daniel’s response was, “My dance is for the proclamation of God. The Psalmist says, ‘Praise him with timbrel and dancing. Each of my steps and Mudras is a prayer. That’s how I see God. And that’s what I’m trying to convey to others.”
Father Daniel was ordained a priest of the Lord on 27th December 2017. While fulfilling his duties as an Assistant Vicar in various parishes of the Diocese of Thrissur, God gave him many opportunities to perform the dance on the stage.
Through the Mother to the Altar
Last October, his musical album ‘Ammayiloode Altharayileykk’ was released with Father Daniel’s dance steps. He is a devotee of Mother Mary. The Album became a surprise, and went viral among the people in Kerala.
“I see this song as a great blessing of Mother Mary. All the shots from the steep rocks and ravines were very difficult. But by God’s grace, we were able to take all the shots in one take without making a single mistake anywhere. When taking long shots, the sound system was at a long distance could not be included in the video, since it was very difficult to hear the music and song. But God made everything beautiful without any trouble anywhere. I just thank God. And thanks to Father Mathews MCBS, the music director, Rosina Peety, the lyricist, and 3M Productions for putting faith in me!” Fr. Daniel gives expression to his deep gratitude.
Father Daniel is very happy that his first song performance was a hymn to the Blessed Mother. He has a great devotion to Blessed Mother because his birthday is on 8th December, a Feast Day Blessed Mary. So Mary was his closest friend from his childhood itself. “Holy Mother is always with me. I dedicate my prime album to my Holy Mother in heaven who stands with me at every moment.
The Anklet in Prayer Room
As a priest, Father Daniel gives prominence to his priesthood. He sees his priesthood as the greatest responsibility assigned by God. He says that he is on this earth for such a purpose. He is always proud to highlight the spirituality his anklet as proof of God’s grace. God gave it, and so everything belongs to God! Father Daniel says that he has had special spiritual experiences when he was learning the Mudras of dance as a young boy.
“Every time there were programs or competitions, my mother would take my anklet and keep it together with the statues of Jesus and Mother Mary. I would start to the stage only after praying. Therefore, dancing was also a prayer for me. I never ever felt that the ‘I’ was dancing on the stage. Always I did have a feeling that there is another power; so God was doing everything. Prayer and dance were always the same for me. My dance has been my prayer!” Father Daniel asserts that there is no other medium to express his spirituality and deep faith in God.
Let the song of the dance unfold the fingers of this priest of Christ, who carries the Body and Blood of the Lord in his hands and heart, and forever sing praises to God. May thousands come to see God through the dance of this priest who loves God very dearly. Let the evangelization of dance be a continuation of the same evangelization that the Lord did on the hills, on the seashore, in the cities, and in the village streets. Prayers for Father Daniel, the Dancing Gospel of Christ!
Sunisha V.F.