Each and every one of us has something in
common with someone we call hero. Whether its
competition, understanding, or sensibility, we
can each show our inner hero. For me, I was
never connected by athleticism, intelligence, or
courage. I was connected through passion, a
passion for my culture.
Dance is a sanctuary, a safe haven. A place we
can rest in after a hard day or life’s biting
challenges. Something we feel, breathe, and live
unconsciously. Being a dancer changes you
forever, whether it’s a walk that seems more
feminine, an eye movement that looks sculpted,
or an expression that is flawless. We all share
part in something huge, larger than the fact that
we “just love dance” that we all elude ourselves
into thinking.
Dance and music is a way to connect and become one with
our inner self. More than that, it is a way to
understand and appreciate our culture. Being
Indian-Americans, this is the most valuable asset
of dance. We have a duty to fill and traditions
and customs to follow. With Sangeetham, Vedas,
or Bhajans, we stay bonded with our heritage. At
school however, we are still intact with our
heritage, culture, and language.
For me, dance is an opportunity to seek joy in the
arts and appreciate culture not only in India, but
around the world.
I feel dance is like a plant. First a student starts
out as a tender blossom. With rain and sunshine
it opens its petals shyly bit by bit and opens up to
the world. In our case, the rain and sunshine is
none other than a guru. A guru gently offers
wisdom, knowledge, and ability. A guru nurtures
the bud and encourages it to grow. One day, it
will open to a flower and the inner beauty will be
revealed. Every single layer that has added up
over the years will be displayed to everyone. The
colors will be bright, the amazement will grow,
and there is none other to thank besides the guru.
The one who has fed it the knowledge, watered it
the ability, and encouraged it to shine. I truly
thank my guru from the bottom of my heart. The
gratitude I express is truly never ending. Yet, I
have not finished my blossoming. I am still
young and continue to open each and every day
and display my colors bit by bit to the world.
Most of all, some of those colors wont all be red,
white, and blue. My true heritage will shine. My
culture has been a huge impact on me as a
dancer, and as a person. It is a way to connect
with my ancestry and reveal my love for the
ancient art form. I believe that Bharatanatyam is
a wide flowing river. One by one the student and
the teacher as a team lay down stepping stones to
cross that river and by the end, the inner self is
revealed.
