I am
a biased Kathak audience and with justifiable reason for being so, the reason
is Pali Chandra. She is my guru, mentor, friend, mother and above all an
exemplary dancer and choreographer. This is by no means a first time
description about this individual, just that some people like her can never be
described enough.
Going
back to what makes me, at the risk of sounding arrogant, say that I am a biased
Kathak audience. On Friday, 21st of June Art Night was premiered at
the Gurukul studio in Dubai. Art Nights is a series of lecture cum
demonstration sessions by Pali Chandra where she presents the genetics of an aspect
of Kathak to art lovers in a close-knit setting.
Personally
the lead up to this much awaited evening was more sweat inspiring and stomach
churning than exciting since in an almost usual fashion the evening’s director
Shruthi Rameshan, her creative crew and ushers like me were ordered by Pali
Chandra to turn up looking nothing less than dames from a marriage celebration song
in a Karan Johar movie. The evening was about Pali Chandra presenting Thumri and
she effortlessly infused a bunch of girls, especially me, who had to practice
sitting and getting up in a sari 10 times and try to loose at least 5 kgs of
prosperity accumulated at the waist area before being able to perform a piece
as a part of the evening’s demonstration.
Moving
on…as her student I am all ears when she explains the origin of an element of
Kathak and its renaissance. As an aching-to-be dancer my eyes compete with the
Ganges every time I see her teach or present an abhinaya (expression based)
piece. Attending a lecture and demonstration on Thumri meant a marriage of both
these effects on the audience and this is no surprise when in the presence of
the recipient of the prestigious Lachhu Maharaj award for mastery of abhinaya.
Starting
with a brief introduction about Thumri, which arose in popularity during the 19th
century in the Lucknow court of Wajid Ali Shah, and its journey through
different eras Pali Chandra unfolded a mystic evening demonstrating the eight nayikas
(heroines) through a medley. Accompanying her with the vocal and weaving a durbar
like ambience was Mohd Mehboob Ali.
The
audience was engulfed in a wave of soft smiles, glistening eyes and prickled
skin as she presented each nayika dressing up for her lover, quarreling with
him, distressed by her love, enraged with him, deceived by him and anxious and
excited about going to meet her love.
Submission
was the only option available that evening as Pali Chandra expressed and
explained each emotion effortlessly. Everyone present in the studio was basking in the beauty, warmth and
creative intelligence of this artist during the evening and the unanimous vote
is WE WANT MORE!
My two weeks stay at Sunethri Ayurvedashram & Research centre had only one agenda, any physical improvement or conditioning to be able to dance better. My soul's biggest ache is not being able to reciprocate with my body what I seem to be able to do in my head during Kathak training sessions and dance rehearsals.
The immense support that I get from my guru Pali Chandra, friends and the audiences that I have performed in front of till date has been my biggest encouragement. However, I must confess that I am quite mercilessly critical about myself when it comes to dance. The struggles of the dancer locked in my body can perhaps be a different post.
Mum's agenda was straightforward too, any improvement to get more points in the pitiful (according to me) Kerala marriage market.
Anyways, I had reached Sunethri and it was supposed to be two weeks of treatment, plenty of reading time, me time, more importantly zero work time. By the time I left the Centre I had met so many people and made lovely friends from all age groups. My respect for Dr. Prasad and his wife Dr. Sheniya multiplied exponentially during my stay there. It is fantastic to observe how this couple operate as highly proficient doctors and wonderful people at the same time.
Dr. Prasad and Dr. Sheniya also attract lovely people who make up the brilliant team at the Centre. The therapists are unfortunately missing from this picture.
Please note: visiting staff - my baby Hannan (she only reports to Pages aka Dr. Tejas) and Vani akka (Colgate smile in white and red) who manages the entertainment division when she is at the Centre.
Not to forget Dr. Shadia...
The time spent at Sunethri was a lot more than holistic health time and I can't think of words to describe how I have been touched and inspired by the people I met here. The simplicity of the easily-lovable people that I got to spend time with and the incredible emotional strength with which they handle their own or a loved one's health/mental condition is enviable.
Missing here are pictures of Indira aunty, Pooja, Jessy and her kids. You all are missed and I can't wait to see everyone again.
Pali ji I would have never met these people if you wouldn't have twisted my arms to meet Dr. Prasad. Thank you is too small a word to express my gratitude for your presence in my life and everything that you think and do for me, but THANK YOU.
Immense gratitude to Dr. Prasad and Dr. Sheniya for connecting with the dancer in me and for making my treatment period seem like a family holiday.
