I had the opportunity to attend a traditional indian dance class today, the one the girl's from Sonar Tori had invited me to. I've always loved watching this form of dance but have never had the chance to try it before now.
The dance studio is above a cinema here in Kolkata, actually not far from Kalighat where New Light is based. The young women from Sonar Tori had told me yesterday the class was in Indira Hall in the Bhawnipur area. When I looked it up, I only found Indira Cinema, so on my there I prayed I didn't end up at wrong place. Thankfully I didn't:)
Before you enter the dance studio, you need to take off your shoes. And as soon as you enter the space you place your palms together at your sternum and bow to the space, to the teacher. You do the same when you leave as well.
I love that this is how you say hello here and good-bye. Everytime you greet someone you're saying I honor you. Reminds us to appreciate others, appreciate the good that exists in all of us.
The teacher was both an incredible dancer and teacher. He gave the girls something to aspire to and also knew just how to bring them out, help them express themselves and make them laugh:) He created a very safe environment where I could tell all the girls felt comfortable being themselves and where he reminded them what they're capable of. They weren't afraid to try new choreography and make mistakes, to experiment and to push themselves to fine tune their technique, their expressions, the choreography...
I was able to both participate and watch as well, as a few of the girls are preparing for an upcoming performance. I have such admiration for the precision, timing and beauty of this dancing.
And all of the young women wear ghungroos, which are small metalic bells strung together and wrapped around their ankles and they sing as they dance. Their voices mixed with their ghungroo's make a gorgeous accompaniment to their dancing.
I deeply appreciate that New Light incorporates dance into these girl's lives. They understand life is about so much more than simply getting through and surviving. Life needs laughter, color and dance:) Dance is a form of self expression, it's an oulet for these girls, a place where they can escape and channel whatever they may be experiencing into the choreography. A place where they can simply escape and enjoy themselves.
I plan on coming back very Sunday until I leave Kolkata. And next time, I hope to take a video with their permission. I want you to be able to appreciate what I got the chance to experience.