paatis and dance
Yesterday, we that is Srikanth, Roja et moi danced at Vishranthi Old age home-- as part of the Jana Bharatham -- the outreach programme of Natya Rangam, Narada gana sabha.
We entered the home and were greeted with a a loud applause by dear dear paatis-- of various ages.
They were younger active paatis-- who had dressed in saris and powdered their faces and wore binds with their neatly oiled hair.
There were older paatis who were in housecoats, wheelchairs and towel (normally hate this combo but the paatis carried it with elan). There were a few thathas with twinkling eyes-- who clapped loudly.
As for me, My eyes teared up as I entered-- what were the thoughts of these lovely citizens? they are blessed when compared to others on the streets or those in homes uncared for. Vishranthi , Savithri Vaithi and her team-- are doing great service indeed. But in the inner recess of my heart I wondered why these sweetie pies are there-- is it because they have no one? or is it because the children have no time/space for them?
Well the reason I'm writing this not is not this. It was the reception that we got after the concert-- One of them said we looked like `oru thaiyn pillaigal'-- all three of us--- thats how we are. Another lovely woman said that Roja and me looked like twins. Another of the active paatis said that she wanted Roja and me to do the potti dance from vanjikotai valiban movie!!
A thatha (yes the one who clapped loudly), told me that they will be talking about our performance for days to come and that can we go there more often and perform?
So dancers--- Does it not make more sense to reach out to people who appreciate us? The joy that we get in these performances is incomparable. Yes we need to be noticed, perform at sabhas, do our shows abroad etc etc. But.....
Thank you Natya Rangam for this! thank you dear dear paatis and thathas for making my dance more meaningful.
We entered the home and were greeted with a a loud applause by dear dear paatis-- of various ages.
They were younger active paatis-- who had dressed in saris and powdered their faces and wore binds with their neatly oiled hair.
There were older paatis who were in housecoats, wheelchairs and towel (normally hate this combo but the paatis carried it with elan). There were a few thathas with twinkling eyes-- who clapped loudly.
As for me, My eyes teared up as I entered-- what were the thoughts of these lovely citizens? they are blessed when compared to others on the streets or those in homes uncared for. Vishranthi , Savithri Vaithi and her team-- are doing great service indeed. But in the inner recess of my heart I wondered why these sweetie pies are there-- is it because they have no one? or is it because the children have no time/space for them?
Well the reason I'm writing this not is not this. It was the reception that we got after the concert-- One of them said we looked like `oru thaiyn pillaigal'-- all three of us--- thats how we are. Another lovely woman said that Roja and me looked like twins. Another of the active paatis said that she wanted Roja and me to do the potti dance from vanjikotai valiban movie!!
A thatha (yes the one who clapped loudly), told me that they will be talking about our performance for days to come and that can we go there more often and perform?
So dancers--- Does it not make more sense to reach out to people who appreciate us? The joy that we get in these performances is incomparable. Yes we need to be noticed, perform at sabhas, do our shows abroad etc etc. But.....
Thank you Natya Rangam for this! thank you dear dear paatis and thathas for making my dance more meaningful.
No comments:
Post a Comment