Something about dancing

I like dancing and think it’s a wonderful form of art...be it salsa or bharatnatyam.

I have learnt classical dancing for more than four years and have to thank my dad for that. He forced me to go to dance classes when I was in school. I have had 3 teachers in all of which the first one was my favourite one. She had the kindest and sweetest soul of all. I used to love learning from her because I think she guessed I was there only because papa wanted me to and did not judge me for it....she accounted for my mixture of lack of earnest interest in dancing and my not wanting disappoint to papa. So she taught me when I was in the mood and the rest of the times she let me sit and watch. Gradually I begin to join the dance sessions more and more with budding interest! I was all of seven then and adored her। Then the worst happened, she died of cancer. That was the first time I dealt with the idea of death but surprisingly it was not frightening. I think I was stronger as a child!

After her death, I lost whatever little interest I had for dancing। To make matters worse the new teacher who replaced her was not so understanding and did not like my apparent lack of interest in dancing. She did not agree with my attempts to learn dancing for my father’s sake and was pretty harsh. She even enforced a dress code in my least favorite color which did not help with her popularity (in my views)!

Thankfully we moved in a couple of years and I was relived as our new place was far away from the dance school. I thought that it would bring an end to my dancing sessions! But papa did not give up, he found me a new dance teacher. This new one was very much like my first teacher and I starting enjoying our lessons. We developed a rapport and my interest in dancing returned! That’s when I realized I had the sense of rhythm and dancing was not half bad!

Unfortunately she got married and moved to another state which brought another end to my dancing lessons! Afterwards, I was buried in 12^th grade examinations and engineering years which left little time for anything else.

Now that I look back, I am really glad I took classes. I think it was my rebellious trait (as I was forced to learn it) that prevented me from enjoying dancing in my earlier years! For the record my dad is the sweetest soul on earth and he seldom asks me to do anything. So when he does.... there is no other way about it for me!

From what I learn from my new roommate, dancing is frowned upon by some groups but in our society, dancing (bharatnatyam) is considered a form of pooja (worship). And I am really glad I had a chance to learn it!

Every year the Maharashtra Board of Tourism organizes the Elephanta festival of dance and music. I visited one such festival with papa. Elephanta island is a 30 minute boat ride from The Gateway of India. The program was on a full moon night which made the whole thing even more wonderful. The ambience was that of some stage set in the 16^th century. The Shiva idol forming the center of the stage was beautifully illuminated and almost stole the entire show! We were seated on the ground on “gaddis” and round cushions and the whole place was decorated with lanterns, rangolis and diyas. It had the grandeur of the "महल" of the olden days! This trip was probably the most memorable of all my excursions and I will always cherish it. For more information visit:

http://www.mumbai.org.uk/elephanta-festival.html

The only negative thing about the place is that it has to be approached via sea which mandates a boat ride. Ordinarily I adore the sea, however I am prone to sea sickness and can become a tad bit uneasy!

I plan to pursue dancing again someday and perform the “arrangetram”! That sure will bring a smile to my dad’s face which will be reward enough! Till then what I do is watch and admire Madhuri’s performances and also some parts of nach baliye!