So, I am what most people call a purist. At least as far as dance is concerned; specifically my chosen style, Bharatanatyam. (Did it choose me or did I choose it? – will never really know)
But walk on the trodden path of a singular dance form I cannot. Dance is dance, after all.
This discussion began in my head (it gets pretty busy in there!) when I stumbled into a Bollywood Dance Class. The first reaction from friends – ‘Et tu, Janaki?’ Bollywood? But you are a classical dancer! You’d think I had betrayed my country or something!
As I turned the reflections inward, I asked myself what I had slipped into. And then ,being me, I turned to –no, not God or even my mom- the dictionary! I actually looked up the word ‘purist’. And there, I found my answer.
The dictionary didn’t tell me that venturing into new paths was offensive, but that adulterating or diluting my chosen path was. I think I actually breathed a sigh of relief.
So, in my bollywood class, I shall stick to the hip swaying and eel-like slippery movements. And I shall continue pushing myself into knee-breaking araimandis in bharatanatyam.
So, this wasn’t really an epiphany, rather a re-epiphany. Sort of like being born again!
As for people around me, they are utterly confused. I spent a long time spurning anything that wasn’t classical dance. Especially with all the offensive lyrics that people actually enjoy! And every time I turned down a chance to participate in their crowd-whistling performances, I was labeled Inflexible. Now it’s just gasps and ‘You hypocrite’.
Purists get to the point of being rigid. If living life is about change, let’s allow butchering of art. The result may possibly be met with ‘wow! Contemporary!’ and all that.
Ok don’t butcher art. Take small changes in the direction of choreography – it actually will end up in a simple yet striking presentation. Maybe it’s time to do that.
My point - when will we stop stereotyping everyone?
You have to seemingly sit (whether you are comfortable in your seat or wriggling in it doesn’t matter) on either one of two chairs – there’s Black and there’s White.
Me, I like the Grey chair! I want my silence and my noise, and I shall have them both!
And hey, you never know. Tomorrow, I may decide to go meditate in a cave – maybe the Tiger’s Nest Monastery – hear it’s breathtaking atop the 3,000 feet high cliff!
And then I become the enlightened one…. You see, this line of thinking could start another long tale of epiphanies….. let’s not go there just as yet.
For now, I maintain I am a purist.
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3 comments:
Great reading. Hmmm...you are a purist with a twist :). I have subscribed to your blog. waiting for more..
Hi Janu!
Great reflections!! Its comforting to see others pursuing a similar line of thought. I am a "condemned purist"- but this I have accepted gracefully in my own "Namaskaram style" . Sometimes I feel the world around has just covered another million years in progression, while I remain where I am and was and probably will be:) It gets pretty lonely sometimes but often I meet others who seem to come off from the same/similar mould that I was cast into, and I carry on, happy to be me again.
Wow! you are getting me to think-will come back for more. And by the way don't forget me on that visit to the "Tiger’s Nest Monastery"
Hi, very well said and very thought provoking indeed. I share your sentiments and agree with Roopa...you are a purist with an open mind!
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