Lessons Learned

Certain activities provide the benefits that are similar to what practitioners derive from bharatanatyam. Being a member of a sports team or engaging in strenuous mental activity allows individuals to improve certain personal characteristics. I would like to refer to this group of qualities as the “common bracket.” Within this common bracket are characteristics such as perseverance, determination, teamwork, and self-respect, all of which are byproducts of common extracurricular activities such as football and academic competitions. However, there are also many benefits specific to the activity. Without distinction, Indian dance offers a route to cultural, religious, and linguistic competency. It fosters a respect for tradition, a human connection to the motherland, and a niche for immigrants in today’s society. Therefore, I find it my personal responsibility to continue my individual journey, to encourage further manifestations of the art forms, and to preserve tradition, as there is a lot to be said about its value. For me, bharatanatyam and raas have been tools to negotiate my identity. I encourage them to be used by other Indian Americans, as it will instill in you great pride and respect for the generations that have preceded us. I encourage future dancers to balance tradition with modernity, and still allow an avenue for other influences as well. It is imperative for the Indian community to not only love what we do, but to also love what we see. We must be willing to practice the art, but we must also be willing to support it. After all, what does any cultural display do better than preserve a community? What Indian dance does on local, national, and global levels of consciousness is directly connected to our Indian identity. Let us use it as comfort for ourselves, and as an invitation for others to join us as well.