I love to dance. I still remember how I pestered my folks to enroll me in the Bharatanatyam class at school. You could opt for either P.E or dance. Many students did enroll only to escape the boring P.E. sessions but for me… I really loved this form of art. My first inspiration came from my cousin sisters who are really graceful classical dancers.  And I still remember watching Hema Malini as “Nupur” on DD.

I am not saying I am averse to filmi or western dance. I am awed by Shakira’s moves. But the fact of the matter is it all started with Bharatanatyam. Anyway, the passion was nipped in the bud coz once the class started I was forever dancing. Dancing while talking, eating, studying… It was all I could think of. This got my mum thinking and she was really worried about this whole thing affecting my studies. So she coaxed and convinced me that I could take this up once I was through with my schooling. And yup! I gave in to her naively!

My school had some of the best dancers….These girls were so graceful, everytime they came on stage I would get goosebumps. Anyway the story ended there for me and my dance was restricted to the allgirl parties me and my friends would have. And the dance was typically what we call in Bombay- Raste ka dance or tapori dance, which is the way people dance for Ganesh chathurthi, weddings and other processions. Reminds me of the dead body dance in Tamil Nadu if I may say so

Anyways, Datamatics functions were a great venue too. We went to the annual parties only for the dance. I still remember the womans day party…that was the day when each and every girl present danced…without inhibitions…just letting it all go. It was one rave night and a tad special coz I actually managed to dance in a sari that day.

Wondering why I am on and on about dance?? Well, I am participating in a function here in Denver and for the first time in my life I am going to be performing on stage. Needless to say, I am very excited!! The dance is choreographed by Divya and Bala, my diamond mates. Divya has already performed in Denver earlier and everyone else has been on stage during school or college except of course me. The dance mix includes one of my favourite songs- yakkai thiri. This is one song I cant stop myself dancing to. It gives me such a high….especially when Rahman goes ‘mapa mapa….’

I am nervous and excited and all pumped up at the same time!!! I had practiced for an earlier function as well. That was folk dance but we had to drop it at the last moment. This ones going to be cinematic dance. Hope things work out this time!!

P.S. Haven’t been able to do my graffiti here coz practising is taking up a good part of my time…Will keep you guys posted:-)