At this point, I could mention that I have been training in the classical dance form of Kathak for the past 15 years and am on the verge of completing my Nritya Alankar degree in this dance form.
By the grace of God and all thanks to my Guru, I had this wonderful opportunity of meeting the great and most acclaimed dancer of today, Pt. Birju Maharaj ji. It was surely one of the best moments of my life when i sat by Maharaj ji's feet,while he asked my Guru questions about me :) :) :). Its beyond my words to express the feeling that i had then... He mentioned that he felt really good to see young dancers learning for so long with the same Guru and continuing their learning with so much enthusiasm and dedication. He also asked whether I had finished my education and gave me a lot of aashirwad :) :) :) {read in hindi} 'Mera rom-rom dhanya ho gaya...'
It was a very short meeting that lasted about a few minutes, but its something that will remain in my heart forever. It's rare that at such a young age one gets a chance to interact with someone soooo great... such a great personality...I was actually awe-struck and wondering whether it was a dream...cos it was indeed a dream come true. And i also got a photograph with him!!! :)
It's so true when people say that the more u grow, the more u earn name and fame, the more humble you become... and that I could see personified in Maharaj ji.
The evening before i.e. Saturday, May 2nd 2009, I attended- 'Shraddha Suman' a show organised by Taalayan Music circle that had Pt. Kumar Bose, Pt. Rajan-Sajan Mishra ji and Pt. Birju Maharaj ji offering shraddhanjali to the great Pt. Kishen Maharaj ji at Ganesh Kala Krida Mandir. The next day, that is Sunday, Maharaj ji was in Nigdi to conduct a workshop for aspiring dancers. Accompanied by Saswati didi who taught to the young dancers, Maharaj ji gave tabla-accompaniment. Many of the kids there are probably too small to understand the greatness of the experience they've had, but they soon will, as they grow.
It was worth learning from Saswati didi, the way she handled the youngsters, the beginners, the little-experienced lot and the very experienced ones. It was beautiful to see her teach them. Gentle, yet firm fun-loving and extremely understanding.
This experience has taught me innumerable things and these i would love to keep forever with me... Putting a few of them down...
Maharaj ji related all the Kathak movements to the nature, it was indeed a beautiful thought that even the youngest dancer present could understand. His depiction of this thought was out of the world.
He re-infused that feeling which my Guru has put into me that your dance should be enjoyed by you, loved by you and then everyone will love it. 'Har ek movement par prem karo. Upar dekho to sundar chaand nazar aaye.Neeche dekho to sampoorna dharti ki sundarta. Saamne dekho to prakriti ki sundarta...'
Saswati didi said...'Ye jo nritya-kala,vidya humare paas hai, wo aisi hai jo koi kabhi bhi humse nahi cheen sakta...kitni bhi koshish kar le..ye humari apni hai...baaki sab jaa sakta hai lekin ye sadaa humare saath rahegi...isko jitna badhao utni badhegi,phoolegi.. '
:) Beautiful thoughts... :)
I hope I can take forward these aspects and keep them always with me by putting them into practice...
In a few words, this was an unforgettable experience for me...
Thank you Tai for this wonderful opportunity... :)
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