A Student and a Teacher within me !!!

"So one fine day I decided to become a professional choreographer. Were my mom and dad happy after knowing this?" Of course!! They had expected this. They are the ones who actually encouraged me and are supporting me till date. The whole family is of artists including my brother. But even if they weren't artists, they would have supported me. (Love and understanding!!! 2 most important things I have learnt from them.)

And the rest is history… I started dancing, by taking my hobby, my passion a little seriously. I remember; my high school and junior college days were fantastic. There was no tension at all of earning my bread and butter. I was like a free bird - school / college and then dance class. That was my life and I was completely enjoying it. The love and respect for my art was immensely high and was day by day increasing. I had completed 5 years of intense training in Bharat-natyam and passed my Visharad with flying colours. I was lucky to get good teachers but may be not lucky enough to have their blessings afterwards. A misunderstanding and ego led to a bad ending between my teachers and me.

A horrible time again, I was one of the most looked upon dancers from my class, a good and obedient student and a crazy dance lover. But then I was, indirectly, not allowed to attend any class of other dance styles, if I was to continue with Bharat-natyam "there." And I never felt then or even now that I was / am just a Bharat-natyam dancer. It was one style I continued learning for 5 years, it was my base, a very strong base. But on the other hand I had no exposure to any of the western / even classical dance styles. And to top it all I was not allowed to teach. (HUH… can you imagine!!) I strongly oppose such "inhuman" rules… (haha…)  Arre, how was I then supposed to become a choreographer???

Anyway, destiny had some different plans for me. And … I will call this episode as 'Blessing in disguise.' I was freed from a prison, I felt. I was a free bird yet again. I started teaching not only bharatnatyam but bollywood and folk dancing too. I had started earning. Was that my point of concern? Was that my motive, to earn money? No, I was teaching just to know the joy of 'sharing your knowledge'. I was learning the process of how to teach. And trust me; it is an on-going process. Each student is different from the other. Though the matter remains almost the same, the process is different, unusual, and sometimes funny. 

 

 with my students at Actor Prepares

But only teaching is never enough. One has to keep learning. [They say once a teacher, always a teacher. I say different…!! Once a student, always be a student] :P … Especially learning an art form is an ongoing process. You are never too wise to know each and everything about an art. It keeps revolving around, gets better, finer, and deeper if you are really willing to pursue it.  Hence, I started learning again. And dancing, trust me, is so overpowering that I decided to learn as many dance styles as possible at least to a level where, if asked, I must be able to showcase it 'pro-phah-ly', and if possible; master it. So I started with Jazz, Indo-jazz, Hip-hop, Salsa, Standard ballroom, Latin-American Ballroom, Belly Dancing, Folk, and today I am proud to say that I have learnt over 25 dance styles in toto from some amazing and some weird teachers in last 19 years…! Whoa...! [ I know ;-)] and I am teaching most of these dance styles too.

So… am I like 'jack of all trades, and master of none'? Well, I feel that I am a master of all trades and master-blaster of classical dance. [hahaha…] I will tell you how. For instance, a chef has to learn to prepare all kinds of delicacies 'perfectly' and the base i.e. "Cooking" remains same, similarly, I have chosen choreographing as my profession so there is a need to learn various dance styles, but the base i.e. "Dance" remains same. But just like in chef's heart there is special place for his favourite dish, classical dancing will always remain special for me. And the latest addition to the list is Kathak- again an Indian classical dance form, again very beautiful and a graceful one. And may be I can say now that, after having so many 'Teachers,' finally I have also found a true 'Guru' in my Kathak teacher and a friend too.

Here, few questions arise. Is that really easy to learn one or more dance styles? Is it tough to learn 10 styles of ballroom dances or 2 styles of Indian classical dances and still manage to remember the differences, similarities, and theories? I'll let you know about this and more, but some other time.

But again, why am I sharing all this? Dance is not something just to talk about. Dance is to dance. So get up and dance and you'll know the reason behind my smile: D (haha...) Trust me, dancing will surely make you happier.

Keep smiling and keep dancing