The fine art of dancing.....

The author had two refreshing, and charmingly different experiences with the fine art of dancing. The stark contrasts in them would definitely bring upon a smile on any one's face. The purpose of this article is not to denigrate one art form over the another. The author, admits, out here, that he enjoyed both the performances. It is not that one is spiritually elevated over the another. The more and more we resist the emotions, whatever be them (incl. lust), the more and more they persist.

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#1 Bellydancing

Courtesy: Turkish Festival, Houston, Oct 1 2005

Ms. Pinar, enthralled the audience consisting of young men, old men, children, women with her belly histrionics. She would have definitely put all those histrionic gyrators that we get to see in commercial Indian cinema to shame. Agreed that she was minimally clad, to just cover the woman in her, and that she would have definitely evoked emotions of lust in men, and envy in the women... thankully, there was more to it. Her control and mastery over her own belly was awesome. Swaying to the apt music, she definitely brought a smile on everyone's face. Needless to mention, she was the most popular and the bellydancing event the most anticipated event of the day.

#2 Bharata Natyam

Courtesy: SPIC MACAY, TAMU, Oct 2 2005

Mrs. Shirisha Shashank, a Bharata Natyam danseuse, enthralled the audience with her grace, charm and dance. Her eyes were brilliant and emoting appropriately the moods to be conveyed. Her recital of Jagadodharana(where she played the roles of Yashodha and Krishna, interchangeably) was the best of the best. She is a talented contemporary dancer and she needs the support and encouragement of the populace. Well, more than her, it is the danceform that needs to be kept alive through such talented dancers. Some of her recitals also had the underlying philosophical and spiritual meanings in them.

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Lastly, I dedicate this post to Ms. Pinar and Mrs. Shirisha for their spectacular dance recitals.