To begin with I need to travel back-in-time to the day my mother introduced me to a world where music to the ears reached my feet, quicker than I had imagined. My first & only formal Bharatha Natyam training under my Guru(teacher) - Dr.Tulasi Ramachandra, began at the tender age of 7, when my mother realized that music made me move! At the time being away in boarding school did not allow me much time to go for classes regularly, but my beloved Guru took classes for me on a daily basis when I was home for holidays. Hence, my holidays were always something I looked forward to (of course for reasons other than dance too!), as the first thing I did when I got back home was take out my dance book & start practicing.
Back then we lived on the first floor & I can tell you our owners downstairs were not happy listening to the constant "Tai Tai Tai"! But nothing quiet deterred me, as I continued learning, I began enjoying it much more. A lot of childhood snaps, mom would ask me to smile for the camera, I would give her one of newest dance "Mudra's" (hand gestures) that I'd learnt lately. This interest grew into becoming an integral part of all dance programs in every school annual day.
As I grew up, attending dance class became a more rounded experience. Our Guru not only taught us to move to the sound of different beats, but also how to walk-the-walk in life too. Be it knowledge about our Indian culture & traditions or the importance of education; she was always our guiding light. I always noticed how if any student had issues learning a step or is doing it wrong repeatedly, she would so gently ask "If you do not understand, tell me, I'll teach you again". Her gentle & soft tone & reassuring smile always cheered you up, how ever low you felt. Several mothers bringing their daughters to class, would bring complaints to our Guru, as they knew we would always listen to her words. We students too would many a times share our highs & lows with her & she was always there to listen.
I still remember the time after I moved back to Mysore, whenever I went to class on weekdays straight from school; I would wait for mom to come to class so that I can grab a snack before the class begins. On several occasions Tulasi Miss would give me fruits to eat & make sure I'm OK. All these little experiences began to make us feel a part of her family. As buds bloomed to flowers, "Nrityala" (my dance school) became a world where I made new friends, had the most loving & caring mother (My Guru) & learnt an art form through which I forgot everything else around me.
I would like to share some of the most fun times I've had along the way. The festival of colors - Holi, was such fun. Our Guru with all of us little girls played with full vigor & excitement, her child like playfulness & free-spirited nature would be at its best. One of the most exciting celebrations we had was the "Mehendi Party", where we all got together & one of our seniors "Rekha Akka" applied beautiful designs on our hands & then we were served yummy food! And the most grand of events used to be the annual "Vijaydashami" celebrations during the auspicious 9 days of Dussera. We girls would decorate the whole place & there would be little gifts for everyone who came. It was on several occasions like these that imbibed in us our strong cultural ties.
Life moved on & as we little girls grew into young teenagers, I had to move to B'lore with my family. I remember how hard i cried as I did not want to leave Nrityalaya & my friends behind. It was by then that our batch had started preparing for our Junior board exams. with the immense support of my mother, I used to practice during the week & travel on weekends to Mysore to train under my Guru & with her blessings did well in my exams too. With that came an abrupt end to my Bharath Natyam - between college, tuition & then Engineering, I could not continue my training. But the lessons I learnt, the training that was imparted has stayed with me till date.
I later got back to dancing folk & Bollywood in Engineering, where we girls formed a group called "The Banjarans". My active participation continued through solo & group dances. After another break for a year or so, I started branching out into other forms of dance.
Salsa it was - hence for the next 2 years i transformed from "Tai Tai Tai" to "1-2-3", but found myself under several occasions catching up quicker, which made me realize it was my classical roots that has paved way to better understanding other dance forms. During the course of these two years, I also experienced the absolute joy of meeting my then dance partner turned friend, turned boyfriend & now my dearest hubby Arun Devotta.
After all these years of my association with dance in its many forms, on my last visit to my hometown - Mysore, I met my Guru after several years. She sadly could not make it to the wedding, but this conversation I had with her totally breathed new meaning to my new life ahead. We spoke about how its perfectly alright to blend in with today's so called "modern outlook, modern thinking" & still be routed to your culture & take it with you everywhere you go. Her smile, her warm hug & blessings shall always remain with me, until the next time we meet. Love you Miss for everything you are & in all the ways you have influenced my life in becoming a better human being.
I hope this post has done justice to my learning & passion for dance. As for my dance journey, I shall keep it going in every way, be it practicing at home or social dancing with hubby!
