Dancing my Heart Out

Today when I checked my messenger and social media apps, people had posted photos, quotes and stories on International Dance Day among other things. I had no idea that it was today. We celebrate so many days in a year that we end up forgetting a few of them till we see them appearing on social media.

Dance has always been one of my interests. I don't mention it as a hobby or an interest nowadays because I have not actively pursued it in a long time. I was that kid who would dance in front of the television or the music player whenever Bollywood movie songs would play. I come from a very musically-gifted family. Everyone I am related to either sings or plays an instrument. So naturally, I was also expected to choose a performing art when I was a child. My mother, being an accomplished singer herself, probably dreamt of making me a vocalist. But my inclination towards dance became apparent as I grew older. 

My mom got me enrolled for Kathak, once I was old enough. It is to date my favourite dance form. Between then and now I have tried many dance forms like Odissi and Latin dance but Kathak has always been my favourite. I trained for a few years in Kathak under Shree Ankur Ballal at Gandharva Mahavidyalay. Once I started my undergraduate degree, I had to discontinue my training due to shortage of time but dance remained an important part of my life. I would perform at every opportunity without even the slightest hesitation.

Performing at an event

A few years ago, I rejoined Kathak but continuing it as a passion called for investing a considerable amount of time that I was already short on. Although I do not actively pursue dance anymore, I still enjoy dancing my heart out whenever there is music. But Kathak will always remain close to my heart. 

Ready to perform on stage

I always remembered the Nataraj sequence that we were taught in the very early years of Kathak training. We ended the sequence with the classical Nataraj pose. It is etched in my memory for some reason and a few years ago I started formulating an idea of paying a tribute to dance by getting myself inked with the Nataraj. After finalising the best possible design and gathering a lot of courage, I finally got it done on my back in the first week of March this year.

The Nataraj on my back

To all the people who enjoy dancing, wishing you a very happy International Dance Day!