Violin, my favourite instrument

Rajkumar Bharathi composed a beautiful piece and Embar Kannan played violin with such flair giving feeling to each note. His bowing technique, speed, clarity... all too mesmerizing!

It was Raga - Nasikabhushani!!!

Back to motherland!

I have been locked up in recording studios from 9 - 9 each day. I find this to be such a consummate experience to be surrounded by uncompromising talent and divine music!

I am thankful for this opportunity each year. However we all missed RKB. In eighteen years of making music for dance, this is the first time Bharathi was not able to join us.

I am comfortable here. Bangalore is just the place to be with so much happening. I am yet to explore all that and more....

Showing of WIP

My first batch of male students (two brothers) presented a Showing of Works in Progress on Sunday. It was an exciting experience to see the young ones dance with precision, classicism, and clarity. They already have an amazing form and neatness required for Indian classical dance. I feel the boys bring in variety and numerous possibilities not only to their own dancing but to Rangoli Dance Company and our community. I cannot wait to guide them further and explore new choreographic works!

Teaching boys how to dance!

The next few weeks are busy preparing students for their Showings of Works in Progress. I am proud of my students. The two girls and two boys ( and their parents) are burning the midnight candle so to speak...

Training boys is different from working with girls. Boys have so much energy. They never seem to get tired. I am teaching them concepts of body alignment, movements holding the torso up, and proper use of focus. I am giving them different hand gestures, steps, and thoughts to enhance who they are. Teaching young students to internalize the ideas is difficult. However I like their innocence and a certain sense of carefree attitude they bring to dance. It is wonderful to be young!

On the health front: My doctor gave me a clean bill of health and told me to keep doing what I am doing. This sounds exhausting if I think of all the things I have to keep doing in order to maintain...

Fashion Influences!

Yesterday, Suresh and I went to a book signing event by Fashion photographer Scott Schuman. It was interesting to see the variety of people who showed up. There were close to 300 or so and Mr Schuman was cordial and patient with each one. Lakshmi was supposed to go, but I went instead and had a book signed by him for her.

I must say I enjoyed the experience.

The First Autumn Rain!

I like today's weather.

I had dental work done and so did Lakshmi. We had lunch with our dentist! Ha!!!

We ate everything soft and mushy....

It has been long since I visited this page. Actually my friend asked why I have not been writing....

Summer was as usual busy with artists being here and now the fall quarter is in its full swing.

The nagging cough that started during end of June looks like is slowly fading away after several visits to the doctors. I think I will go get a flu shot which may further help me. I have never been sick this long.

Before I leave for India -

As per my doctor's recommendation, I will soon go for a blood test to make sure all the numbers are within range! My doctor preaches and routes me to chase prevention, and I like it.

Counting Blessings!

I went for a physical after 15 months and felt so thankful because the Doc gave me a clean bill of health....

He was very happy with my life style changes and results.

For the past two weeks, we have been engaged in major cleaning. I am finally able to find my CDs, songs, scripts. This also meant getting rid of lot of unwanted things that had accumulated over the years. We need to learn to throw, recycle, and mainly stop buying.

Too busy to write ...

Ahhh, what does one do when  innocence and sweetness in a person is replaced by defiance and indifference ? It is indeed sad!

I will write more about this at a later time. 

Deadly Combination!

Ignorance and Arrogance.

Remembering our Marion!

Yesterday, it was the day to officially celebrate Marion Scott's life. I met her family, my UCLA buddies, teachers, and so many familiar faces. I felt I was with a group of warm and caring people. Seeing Doris Seigel, legendary lighting designer after so many years was very nice. Our teachers Allegra and Irma along with few others worked so hard to put this event together. I got to see several video clips of Marion's performance, choreography and interviews. She has created such a vast body of work and they will become perfect case studies for students. I feel such an honor to have had a chance to study under her guidance. I must remember Judy Mitoma for bringing Marion Scott back from retirement to UCLA in order to guide me on a one to one basis. How very fortunate I am ......

It seems very assuming to call myself a choreographer. If it had not been for Marion's teaching methodologies and the interest she took in me, I would not have found this path or direction. My salutations to you Marion Scott and to teachers of all times. 

Lead, Succeed! great free education series!

This week, I attended a seminar on Leadership and Management offered by UCLA Anderson School of Management. Free lecture and free food. The speakers were very inspiring. The event featured 99 Cents Only Store CEO Eric Schiffer and Professor Eric Flamholtz, moderated by Frank Mottek of KNX 1070. I found it useful.

I have to try and attend a few more of these. It helps me renew my enthusiasm to lead and direct our company. 

It was also nice to see who Frank Mottek was. I have been listening to him on the radio for a long time and now there is a face to match the voice. 

Seeing my mother in pain is difficult.

My mother went through a femoral bypass surgery and she lived in the hospital for a week. Although she is feeling a lot better now, she is depressed about having to go through so many cuts and pains. I feel sad. Yeah, she can walk better now. Diabetes is a deadly disease. It progressively gets worse. She has made so many changes with respect to how she eats and lives. It is perhaps because of that she is doing as well as she is.

She is done!!!

Lakshmi graduated and we are all back from Pittsburgh. Heard some very inspiring speeches, met loving families, and returned feeling elated. Now reality hits... she needs a job. 

Anyhow, this is a new chapter for all of us, reshaping our priorities and thinking about our duties...

Graduation Time!

Lakshmi is done with school, atleast for now. Last Saturday, Carnegie Mellon University's Los Angeles chapter had a mixer for students and parents in Castaways. It was a wonderful evening. Castaways is located high in the Burbank hills with a wonderful view of the golf course and the city. It was a joy to see all the students finally feel relieved and enjoy the fruits of their labor. 

Now we are off to Pittsburgh for the graduation ceremony. 

Honor from my community

On Saturday, May 2nd, the Karnataka (state in south India) Cultural Association of Los Angeles(KCA)  honored me with an Award for my contributions to art and culture.  It was very nice of them to recognize me. KCA was founded about 36 years ago and I remember becoming a part of it 35 years ago. This was one place where  we met people from my hometown, Bangalore. Now after this many years, I notice that most people who frequent these events are unknown to me. They are younger families who have recently moved to Los Angeles. However it was nice seeing a few familiar faces.  So much water under the bridge...

Yes, It has been a year.

Exactly a year ago, I made several changes to the way I eat and live. I am still with it. I feel wonderful and (almost) am in control of my senses. Ha!!! 

I run with shoes and no more bare feet running. I hope I stay the course...

Kiran Bedi, do get to know her!

Indian film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) came to a close yesterday evening. Lakshmi has been working for the festival for about 5 years now and the festival has drawn us close to its goals in many ways. Many good movies were screened this year but the one that inspired me the most was 'Yes Madam, Sir'. The documentary made by an Australian filmmaker was screened as a part of closing night gala. The movie is about this dedicated police chief of India, Kiran Bedi. She was in the audience and met many well wishers. It is hard to imagine how she stood alone in enforcing prison reforms and other social issues. The world needs more people like her.

Another proud moment for us was the fact that IFFLA commissioned us to create the trophies to be given to winning film makers. I sketched and designed the image. Lakshmi sculpted the piece with input from Suresh. It was a gratifying experience to see the filmmakers receive them. This was an honor. Thank you Christina for giving us the assignment. 

Yeah, life had pretty much come to a stand still for the past couple of days because of so much work in other areas besides dance. I do not know how Lakshmi survived this 20 hour shifts each day in the middle of her thesis and internship.

Ah moving on........ 

See you on the other side Carl!

Today I attended a memorial service in honor of Carl Patrick, UCLA Staff member. I will miss Carl's smile, twinkle in his eyes, and his unconditional support. I remember my student days at UCLA being very very hard. One could easily have experienced a severe breakdown of all faculties. The demands were heavy and I was trying to make so many people happy starting from my family,  guru, faculty, students and many more. I always fell short and was racing against time and expectations. But seeing Carl in the front office was the best thing. He had a calming effect on people and made it all seem very doable. He instigated Hope which was so necessary for students. 

The event today was well organized with music, kind words, and caring folks. We heard his original music compositions.  He will sing in my heart always.

Bye and see you Carl.

Splendid Mohiniattam dance performance!

Yesterday, at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, Suresh and I saw one of the most beautiful dance concerts. Mother and daughter Bharathi Shivaji and Vijayalakshmi performed Mohiniattam, classical dance form of Kerala. Till the announcement was made I thought the mother was the daughter. Both of them exhibited infinite grace, professionalism, and superb artistry. Bharathi, a recipient of numerous awards has also received 'Padmashree', India's highest civilian honor. It was a true treat to the soul. Thank you!

I have written about this performance and it is published here under reviews. www.narthaki.com

By the way Norton Simon Museum has a huge collection of Indian art. You may want to check it out. www.nortonsimon.org

My Own Dance!

I had known of several teachers who had a few dances in their repertoire that they would not teach to their students. However they would dance those pieces with lot of passion and accuracy. They had saved a few to perform themselves.  I think this is a good idea. 

Most of the time, when I choreograph a dance and teach it to students, I keep tweaking  it here and there for quite some time till I am happy. Sometimes I revisit a piece after several years and rework it too. And then I also have to show in my left hand all the hand gestures to students while they are dancing. It is becoming increasingly difficult for me to dance the pieces that I teach my students. So I decided to work on a few pieces for myself. I think it is a good start. 

This is a short composition in Raga Nata. M. A. Sundareshwaran has played violin. It is haunting. Gurumurthy's Mridangam gives the perfect punch!

That day that keeps coming each year!

Today is that day!

Yesterday evening was wonderful. Monday evening dance class students and I went out dinner after dance class. We were celebrating many things. 

- Senior member Shaheen was taking a hiatus for a year or so

- Remembering our Guru Narmada

- Celebrating two Birthdays

Our company also received a good beginning for the 25th Anniversary  to be celebrated in August. These caring students have already contributed in so many ways.

I came home after a delightful evening and learnt that the Karnataka Cultural Association would be honoring me on May 2nd during their annual function.  www.kca-sc.com

I am gratified to be recognized by my own community . Thank you!

Honoring our Roots!

Today is the 2nd year of Guru Narmada's passing. In our Monday night dance class, we are dancing Ganesha Kauthuvam and other dances in her memory. Thank you for a lifetime of unforgettable skills, grace, and beauty you left behind for us to cherish and enjoy. 

New Beginning!

Today is Ugadi, a time to celebrate new year, fresh beginnings, good health and prosperity. 

I was just thinking about how when movie stars loose weight, they have lot of resources to do it. It is wonderful to know that they have worked hard, but it is important to note that have had a lot of help along the way. 

The other factor is -  it is expensive to keep a healthy diet. Most healthy food products cost more and are not easily available all the time the way fast food is. However the groceries stocked in the stores these days do offer a whole lot of options to stay fit. 

I must say I am proud of myself to have given the time to take a good look at myself. Introspection is necessary.  I am an ordinary woman and have taken on this change in life style  journey completely on my own. I have stayed driven and motivated. I have not had any outside help like diet plans, personal trainers, or other forms of enhancement.  I do everything from my home. I have received lot of support from my family.

One does not have to be famous or rich to make changes to benefit their own well being.  This is a gift to oneself.  I pray and hope I not only stay the course, but also support and help others. 

Felt like blogging finally!

It has been a long time since I came here. Much has happened since. Our trip to Delhi and Jaipur was simply amazing. The NRI Welfare Society of India honored me with a Hind Rattan Award for my contributions in the field of art and culture. All three of us went to attend the ceremony. The organizers had arranged the entire event, trip to Jaipur very well. They took care of all details and worked very hard to make our trip comfortable and enjoyable. We met some nice people who had come from all over the world. 

Jaipur was simply mesmerizing. I would go back any day. The city has so much to offer in terms of culture, music, dance, visual arts, food,  crafts etc...

We also had a chance to go to this beautiful ethnic village resort called Chowki Dhani. 

www.chowkidhani.com We had a splendid time here. 

Also I had known about this wonderful jewellery store called Amrapali during my visits to Chennai and Bangalore each year. Now I had a chance to visit the original showroom in Jaipur and see their beautiful work. We met the designers and owners of Amrapali also. It so happened that they were invited as chief guests to honor all the awardees in Jaipur. It was a wonderful experience meeting such enterprising artists. 

Having been gone for almost two months, it took some time to catch up with my life here. Of course, lot of bills to pay and needed to work again. I was also thinking about my aging parents quite a bit during my absence.

I have kept up my fitness and food regiment since I returned from India. I am still working out 5 days a week. I think my body has finally got used to this life style. I like it. It feels free and exciting. I cannot explain in adequate words. 

Slowly I have been able to change the grocery shopping to suit our current needs. I used to eat brown rice few times a week. Now I have substituted with wheat and it tastes just fine. I eat sambar and rasam with wheat too. Wheat cooks faster and is lighter than rice. My mother suggested this idea. Anyway Suresh, Lakshmi, and I have embraced this well. 

Back in Los Angeles time and space!

Just returned from a long trip to India. It is past midnight and am catching up with my life here. Will write some fun things soon.