Dance statement

Talent in general including dance does not necessarily come in exquisite packages. It is prayer for some, fun for others; in other words a celebration of human emotions. 

A range of silly thoughts crossed my head when my guru Pali Chandra asked me to be on stage with dancers from Special Needs Future Development Center (SNF) and Gurukul for SAATHI's third anniversary celebration held at the Indian Consulate on Friday, 8th June. Although I was a part of the workshops, conducted by Pali ji, to prepare the SNF dancers for this show I caught myself worrying about the way I would look on stage. I was worried about not doing justice to the choreography. I was insanely upset that my physical limitations will be obvious to the audience.

These shallow, crazy thoughts pinched my nerves right until I saw the SNF dancers dressed in their costumes with make up on, excited and all smiles back stage. These performers might have been nervous but, certainly none of them were skeptical about being a differently abled dancer. Their attitude and excitement about rocking the stage was contagious, encouraging and humbling. I was not concerned about me anymore, we were a team. It was a dedication to differently abled artists. It was a unified proclamation that art and talent is not restricted to a particular section of the society. It was a prayer to encourage co-existence between the mainstream and specially abled communities. 

On stage with these fantastic stars, in front of a brilliant audience I did what I know how to do best and with no inhibition, I danced! 

Dancing with a Difference

Holi ke Rang is the first skill sharing workshop that I have attended which is meant for individuals like me. Although I was there as a supporter I was soon learning dance with the Special Needs Future Development Center participants. I chided myself severely for sympathizing. Purely because, as a differently abled person myself, I am not a huge fan of sympathy. Some of them could not talk at all and few others would forget what they said few seconds ago. However, these individuals with their different abilities put their best foot forward at the workshop. It was difficult not to be inspired, educated and encouraged after the workshop and thank you Pali ji for making this happen. I wish more people were equally convinced about accepting and working with the different abilities of special needs community.

Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah

After days and months of practice and confidence-building I was finally dressed up and a few hours away from my maiden Kathak performance. As an ‘aspiring’ Kathak dancer with partial mobility impairment my first stage could not have been bigger than Dubai’s first ever Kathak festival. The chief guests could not have been more important than the living legend of the art form, Pandit Birju Maharaj and his celebrated disciple Saswati Sen.

In spite of the number of times that I have been on stage as a dancer and MC, I break into a sweat in the dressing room! Am I ready for a Kathak performance? Will I let my guru down? Do I look good enough for stage? EVERYONE is going to see me walk to my spot on the stage, what are they going to think?

The only thing I can do is to try and focus on Pali Ji saying ‘Yes, you can do it beta’, every time I have asked her “Are you sure Pali ji?” or “Am I ready Pali ji?” She says ‘you will not learn until you make a mistake. So go and make those mistakes. Accept the praises or criticism humbly from your audience and work towards being a better dancer’.

The time arrived, performance was done, mistakes were made, tears were spilled, appreciation and blessings received.

Amidst positive and negative criticism about Gurukulites, like me, who were conditioned by Pali ji to be up on stage in spite of our various physical and emotional challenges, all this teacher has to say is how wonderful her children are.

This post is a humble token of appreciation for an inspirational teacher who connects with each and every student in her class no matter what the numbers are and regardless of our capabilities.

For this priceless opportunity I have nothing but words to thank you Pali ji. Thank you for the hours you have spent correcting my posture, expressions and movements. Thank you for giving me the confidence to perform in front of your guru. Thank you for never seeing my limitations. Thank you for loving me the way I am. Thank you for your reassuring smile even when I made my mistakes. Thank you, Somna for your tireless efforts, which is the pulse of Gurukul!

Here is what a few other Gurukulites (students and parents) have to say:

Pali Chandra- Our Inspiration, Philosopher and Guide.

At times words fail to convey how we feel. Not only a guru, she’s also a force which guides and inspires us to be a good human being. She knows our strengths and flaws even through our silence. She is an aura of positivism, beauty, grace, warmth and love.

Kathak festival- It was indeed a privilege to learn from the legend himself Pt. Birju Maharaj and his disciple Saswati Sen here in Dubai! To be able to perform in front of our Guru's Guru and watching their live performance was a learning experience in itself. What more can a dancer ask for! It was an enriching experience to be cherished for a lifetime.

Thank you Pali ma'am and Somna for giving us this opportunity and the wonderful team of Gurukul, everyone involved with it, on-stage and off-stage who made the event more beautiful with their love and support. Thank you, Gurukulites for brightening everyone’s life.

-Anissha Ghaghada

The Kathak Festival was one of the most amazing weekends of my life!

Meeting, interacting with and performing before the very Icon of Kathak, Pt. Birju Maharaj and his foremost disciple Saswati Sen - was truly a priceless experience! Just being there, made all the difference.

Thanks to Gurukul for providing this platform and hats off to Pali Chandra, the incredible woman behind it all.

-Vineetha Mohan

Joining Gurukul and meeting Pali ji was a life changing decision for me. I have loved Kathak ever since I can remember. I always felt that I had a past life connection with this art form, but somehow I never got down to learning it until last year while surfing the net I came across Gurukul.

Pali ji is an amazing dancer, but more amazing is her capability of 'connecting' with each and every student at an individual level. Somehow she manages to touch a chord in each of our hearts. She rekindled fire in me that was almost burning out. I have always tried to be a happy person, but coming to Gurukul has completed and fulfilled me. 

Pali ji has every quality that a dancer, a woman and a good human being should aspire to have. She is my guide, my guru, my aspiration!

-Somya Sharma

Pali ji has been an inspiration to me ever since we met; we have become great friends since then. Words cannot express the feelings and bond we have with each other as tears are sure to pour when actually spoken or written. She is a true Guru for all her students and a true friend for a friend. Love you a lot my dear friend and will always.

-Dishna Mirchandani

I am sure most of the students and their families nurture a similar feeling of love and respect for Pali Chandra, Somna and Gurukul. Like I said before words and actions are not enough to express the gratitude or love that we have for this sister duo and Gurukul.