Second Chance

As a child, I grew up in the posh locale of Defense Colony in Delhi. I could count the doyen of classical dance, Sonal Mansingh as my neighbour. I would wait for hours to catch a glimpse of her. As I started learning dance, I grew up watching Kiran Segal and Ranjana Gauhar perform. They were dancers famed for their beauty and impeccable Odissi. They were my idols.I never missed their shows.
I didn't watch hindi movies. They were not cool. No one in my school did that. I am glad I spent all those hours watching dance. Somewhere deep down in my subconscious I developed a love for Odissi.
Going to college, priorities changed. My dreams were forgotten.On the eve of my wedding, I did a program on the local TV network.The interviewer asked me if I would dance after marriage? How would I balance family and dance?
Without a moments hesitation, I replied, "I can juggle kids, home and dance. I love dancing and I am sure my family is going to be very supportive."
It took me years to get back to dancing. There was always heart ache if I were to watch Odissi. Moving to New Jersey, I had to find an answer to my restlessness. God gave me a second chance when I found Guru Mitra, the most amazing dance teacher, right in my neighborhood. She became my mentor and Didi as she took on the task of teaching me, and giving me hope every step of the way.I hope to follow in her footsteps and continue this guru shisya parampara.

Gypsy girl in Times Square

Banga Sammelan 2005 was a landmark event of my life. The convention was held at the prestigious Madison Square Garden.I was new to my Guru's team, new to the country. On the morning of the show I couldn't pass the chance to visit the ultimate tourist destination - Empire State building. I went with my kids to NYC's landmark attraction, never realizing how deceptive lines can get. We barely made it back by noon.
Being on a high adrenalin rush, I dashed off to the New Yorker for my costume change. Madison Square Garden was a different ballgame. Something so iconic that you cannot help being overwhelmed.
The dance was over in a blink of an eye. This was one place where you never wanted to stop dancing. The lighting and stage were so mesmerizing.
I dashed out in a skirt without bothering to remove my stage makeup. Everyone was making plans for their last night in the city. I was elated having performed at my dream venue. Walking through Times Square, a stranger found his ideal target. He waved a snake at me. I bet it was a fake one. I didn't scream. I had to give it back to this prankster. Gathering my wits, I smiled and told him I am use to snakes. Can't he see that I am a gypsy girl?
Had it been Jersey I am sure I would have freaked out. New York fills you with such a de-ja-vu that it feels like a different world.

There is never a dull moment

On the occassion of Kali puja hosted by NJPA in Monmouth Junction there was never a dull moment. Backroom action was enough to match the stage performances. The show started at 8.00 in the evening, that is way after my regular dinnertime. Since I don't eat before dancing, it was quite an ordeal to see others dig into their food. After waiting forever in my attire and commuting for over an hour with an oversized mirror, there had to be a good reason for me to dance.
After the opening act, I had a minute to change for my solo and wear my bells. In all the confusion, one of my props went missing. The music started. I looked at my guru Mitra and knew I had to improvise. I followed my heart and focussed on my expressions. This song was very dear to me. It's the dance we performed at Madison Square Garden 2005, Banga Sammelan. I had to do justice to my guru's faith in me.
Well, the drama continued. We had to go for costume changes in a span of 7 minutes.
6 dancers and one mirror. We had to do it. No time to fight over the mirror.
I had another challenging solo followed by a group. I had learnt my lesson. I clutched my prop this time. We kept up our spirits and danced our hearts out.It was one of my best performances.
The applause still echoes in my ears. This feeling of love and support from the community is what makes us go on with the hope that we have to top this next time.

No coffee needed!

I had a lecture demonstration at the Bergenfield public library on the 29th of September. The show was to start at 10.30 in the morning.It was a weekday, the kids had school. Being in the US you are forced to take on the super mom challenge.
I started getting into my traditional dance outfit at 6.30, something unthinkable for me. I had to be done with the dress and elaborate makeup in an hour before dropping off the kids to school. If that was not enough, the hour long commute on Route 80 heading towards GW bridge was surely going to be a killer.
My car was loaded with all kinds of props. I literally needed a shopping cart to unload. Well, guess what-more than 50 enthusiastic patrons turned up with their steaming cup of coffee waiting for their morning entertainment. Seeing so much enthusiasm in the crowd, I was charged up to make it a memorable session for all of us. I didn't need my morning coffee that day, the crowd gave me the adrenalin rush.
All I want is to be able to dance and never stop. The hours don't matter. I am ready whenever the curtains go up.

The show must go on

The weather gods showed no mercy on Saturday,the 24 th of October. We were booked for a show celebrating the Diwali festival at the East Stroudsburg University, Pa, across the border of NJ. Nestled in the scenic Poconos, Delwater gap is my favorite fall destination. This time it was the worst day to be on the road with pounding rain and fallen trees. Nevertheless, we had a committment, the publicity was done, seats were sold out. Come rain or storm we had to go.

Maybe it's god's will that we went and danced before the multicultural faculty and students of the university. For many it was their first Odissi performance. We tried forgetting about the weather and instead concentrated on our theme- the welcoming colors of spring, something so appropriate in that panoramic settings of the mountains. It was a rare treat to dance along with our guru and mentor, Mitra Purkayastha. I was inspired to drown out the noise of the storm and go with the flow of music.
It turned out to be one of my best performances. I had a feeling of peace and tranquility as I performed my favorite pieces. This feeling of sheer joy and blissfulness - satchit ananad is what we Odissi dancers try to share with our audience.