Journey of My Dance

Why did I learn dance? And for all that Indian Classical; and within that Bharatnatyam!!  To be honest; it started as a push from my parents; for they were very much fond of Jamuna Aunty, my guru.

But soon; the reason turned inwards and I started enjoying it.  It gave me the attention that I am still not sure how to handle; but made me feel good.

I soon realized I could dribble better in soccer as my footwork had become organized; rhythmic; and I could change pace to the way I felt I could, to confuse the opponent.

And then lastly; I started understanding math with the dance; the octaves of rhythms; straight lines; planes and levels, geometrical inclines and ascents and descents.  In other words; I saw math in action in dance.

So where I have come TO; honestly; it would be where I came FROM.  The humble beginnings of dance started at Jain Center of America in Queens, NY.  Various annual events and performances of epic stories of our Lord or stories that reinforce my faith in Jainism.  I was given an opportunity and the trust I got from my teachers there; the constant push for perfection; stage fright or stage presence….  it was just the right place to know what it feels to be in front of 1000 plus people and dance as if nobody is watching.

Next came the individual small family events and weddings and parties at our family and friends.  Cute; some tunes were embarrassing; but fun.  As young boys, we danced on songs from 80s and 90s – honestly all we understood was rhythms.  Noted here was a dance for celebration of 10 Years of 10 Days of fasting of my dad.  I was blessed to show my respect to him in this event through dance.

Then we had what they called Annual Talent Show in Diwali.  A good place for me as it was a judgement free zone and I was thrilled to dance my life out.  A simple evening with just all of us friends and growing together with laughter and joy.

But my journey of dance starts with my participation of Jamuna Aunty showcase epic dance drama of Ganesha.  I was the central character and I spent a whole summer learning to be Ganesha and fighting with various characters – as that is what the story of Ganesha is about.  It was a summer of being the cute boy of the group of all participants – everyone older than me.  I received so much love and care from all of them, that being a single child, I felt my life being filled with so many elder brothers and sisters.

Ganesha was my first major dance performance – on professional theatre of Pace University in Manhattan.  I felt in this performance – what is light and action and the SHOW must go on.  There was no room for error and that everyone is watching you.  At the same time there was confidence that the hard work of summer will not prove us any short of perfection.

Over the years since Ganesha; there were performances of the dance school that I participated.  The show on Tatva – the elements – is one of my favorite one. It portrayed through Dance how the five elements namely air; water; earth, fire and humans affect our overall moods and aspirations and their harmony is the only approach to eternal peace and happiness.

Today; as I look into my future; my reflections from the past in Journey of My Dance show me that my Concentration and Spirituality has also increased a lot. I am blessed to have Jamuna aunty as my teacher; my parents with unconditional love ; my family and friends and a community who has taken all their energy to guide me and shape me.  I thank God for giving me unto them; and I only hope that I continue to dance to all their happiness and expectations.