Classical dance and yoga

Dear Kamla,

You regret not learning danc. My parents won't let me go to music class or learn from a Bhagavatar. My passion was to become a playback singer or a doctor. I was so good in Maths teachers would not let me opt maths(In Maharashtra maths was optional those days. I would not have passed even my ssc).

Yhe credit goes to Sudha who has been providing a online programme on the spiritual aspects of dance. I could visualise her explanations. To me it was like a session conducted on TV.
Kamla glad you have taken note of the good postings(excluding mine) by members here.

I did feel sorry, but then may be our parents refused togo beyond certain frame work, beyond the norms of their time. Love. kanaka

Thanks Sundari and Kamala for your encouraging feedbacks......yes i will start sharing more!
Yesterday was at a beautiful Kathak event by none other than the famous Uma Sharma, she is 66 years and still her feet are so strong. She had such lovely bhavas and very clearly gave her piece of mind on bollywood and how even Shahrukh Khan if he sees classical dance form, will touch her feet! Such was her devotion and passion to classical dancing, i could still see the twinkle in her eyes!
That really made me and my classical dance students feel proud and good and more energy to pursue what we are doing!

She covered the story of Soorpanaka from Tulsidas Ramayan, Ras leela , and her rendering of Atharam madhuram was explicit! What footwork and power, and the jugalbandi between her and the Tabla player was amazing!

Thanks to Kanaka i am really down to sharing my passions !
Will definetely continue!

Dear Kanaka,
In reply to ur post to Kamala and to Kamala herself....
I think the social norms are so in our country. Dancing is to be done in public. And of course all the eyes are not looking at us in devotion , love or whatever we are trying to share with the audience. So many parents who are shy of the criticisms of their peer group will stop their young ones. Also in those days, it did have a stigma of devadasis......but the pity now is that parents want their kid to learn bharatanatyam or any classical, so that they can perform the bollywood dancing better... or just for the glamour of it without understanding what a change it brings to the student if she is taught by an experienced person. And promptly after arangetram, they stop! I understand , not all have the talent or time, or money to pursue, but i feel every child when exposed to some form of classical dance will benefit not only from the self discipline, memory power, the concentration , not to mention the muscle strengthening! Apart from these are the amazing side benefits of strong beliefs in our heritage, culture, being proud of it , and feeling connected to the universe with a feeling of unity and devotion. If the bonding between the Guru and Shishya is good, then the feelings also get transferred and a sense of loyalty is built!
Of course i am talking from my experiences here too, and i can see that definitely the cultural values get retained and a sense of connection to your values and homeland is built even if the kids are born and brought up here!
More of my thoughts on the Gods , and abhinaya and the different forms of dance will follow when i get into the mood! ( kanaka, read that as motivation ....ha ha ......!)

Sudha,

For some dance is for 'Reality Shows. Yes those vulgar looks -- - - - . But now children dance so vulgar and you can see parents cheering their daughters(I mean Hindi Reality shows). Culture is not retained but already drained out-it's only shaking of your body! The essence of dance has been maintained by the old schools only.. kanaka

Kanaka,

I absolutely agree with you. Certain dance steps now are nothing short of acrobats. Leaves me wondering if ive walked into a circus by mistake. Especially if its a dance for children the vulgar gyrating movements rips off the innocence associated with kids.

Dance should look very aesthetic, very pleasing and graceful .

Love,
Devika

Originally Posted by kanaka

Sudha,

For some dance is for 'Reality Shows. Yes those vulgar looks -- - - - . But now children dance so vulgar and you can see parents cheering their daughters(I mean Hindi Reality shows). Culture is not retained but already drained out-it's only shaking of your body! The essence of dance has been maintained by the old schools only.. kanaka

Dear Sudha,

That is a nice piece of observation from you about the dance and its latest trends. Who else but you could have given such an insight to it, being a professional dance teacher.
It is true that learning dance is almost like a penance, needs lot of hard work, concentration, physical pain and a total commitment. I tried very hard for my daughters to learn dancing from long distance! Tried to drive some 200kms on a weekend morning for dance classes. The poor girls slept in the car and were physically and mentally tired to learn and practice the steps . It simply did not work, goes to show how strenuous it is if one wants to do it right!
As for the dance shows on TV which is mainly 'udance' (!), I really cannot blame those youngsters for gyrating to popular tunes. What are they supposed to do ? I know how frustrating it is if one cannot pursue a passion due to lack of money and other facilities. Hence, they teach themselves and learn through films, which is the cheapest available entertainment media today. And the Big TV is offering them this chance. Their pet dreams of dancing under the arc lights are coming true!! Its celebration time for them, can you or I blame them?? I feel such reality shows are giving an outlet to many many thwarted dreams. I do appreciate it, considering all that.
It is another matter to see very young children gyrating to 'item numbers'!! Parents are to blame here. Life is like that I guess, every coin has two sides.

L, Kamla

Hi Everybody

First of all, sorry Kanaka Ma'am ... I got caught up with my exams and so couldn't post for all these days ... now I'm done ... and I'm back with a bang!

I'm not against the reality dance shows, but thats not what dance is all about. There are quality dance shows like Boogie Woogie which have an excellent and decent participation. There is a huge variety of western, salsa, samba, bollywood and even semi-classical and classical (though I agree that they do kill bharathanatyam sometimes!) ... but what I find in these Tamil reality shows is only Tapaankoothu!!! Grace doesnt exist in the dance at all! Even among the Hindi shows, only Boogie Woogie stands apart ... others are all just aerobics ... I agree even thats difficult ... but it isnt dance!

For those interested in learning Bollywood dance, there is a show called 'Nachle Ve' conducted by Saroj Khan on the channel NDTV Imagine. On the show, she teaches dances for a variety of songs ranging from Dola Re to Madhuban Mein Radhika Naache Re to Mehbooba also! She even teaches a group of boys sometimes. Its nice to watch and learn ...

I agree with you Shwetha .Just looking at Saroj itself is so inspirational. My God that lady exudes so much grace.!!

You are right Devika Ma'am. Saroj Khan's expressions are beautiful. More so, because the expressions are not made up ... she feels the song ... Hats off to her for what she is ... though she is 'round', she is still so flexible and graceful!!!
I watch that show every day ... its nice to learn from the 'pro'!!!