The Little Palm of Support

Priya Sakhi 

After a long time ... missed you .. but you were never away were you? 

Koothanadi Pottri , the Shivaratri festival conducted by Abhai happened this weekend, on Saturday. 

What was special this year was that it was a prayer - a prayer for the victims of  the corona virus  , the pandemic that is threatening the world now . It was also a prayer for peace in India. 

The festival was organised in Virugambakkam, in association with Akshaya Arts . 

In that we targeted a different audience base - in a proscenium stage . The dancers and gurus who were presenting their students that day were from that part of town, mostly. There was a freshness in the festival, a cozy stage, eager audiences and totally focussed Artistes. 

You may think that this is a review of the programmes that were offered that day .. Nope

Had to share a few thoughts .. first of all one was amazed at the number of aspiring
dancers ! So many of them all passionate - very focussed, costumes, make up , jewellery   .reds, greens, purples , pinks with flowers and jewellery -- simply
bewildering!

There was this group of dancers - students of Smt . Lata Rajagopalan - they were mostly what we call the '. Nandu chindu vaandus ' who were very sprightly and danced with great involvement. For some the core was absolutely tight , very young children but the way they held themselves-  with so  much confidence and poise. 

There was this moment where the children were required to hold their legs in a pose for at least a good minute or two - the outer leg lifted, was bent , two little dancers were facing each other . Whilst one of the little girls stood still-- as still as a statue,

the other girl started to shake towards the end of the line . 

What did the little girl 1 do ? Didn't think twice - just placed her
palm  on  her friends - giving her the support and confidence ! It was an instinctive gesture of a little girl but ...

It was one of the best moments of the evening
 - everybody in the audience noticed this and clapped spontaneously! 

That little palm extended willingly for a friend -a small gesture  but the support and camaraderie so much needed . 

it's always how one dancer excels the other? Friendships of many decades are broken over performance opportunities!  One sees so much of competition out there .. is there anybody who understands the angst of an artiste ? Within the fraternity? Is there anybody to support us ? 

We , in our myriad roles as a woman, a daughter, disciple, teacher , performer, choreographer, cook, maid , home maker, mother and grandmothers even -- what all do we sacrifice!

To get to that practise early in the morning how much do we have to do before that - to rush into practise - to remember that sanchari idea or the kanakku thattu mettu ? 

So much goes into the making of an artiste  - lots of heartaches and brickbats as well as bouquets and encouragement
-- but it's heartening to see that little palm that supports us - isn't it ? 

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