Shyama Parui
By Shyama Parui
A slow Tuesday ends rapidly with dinner and dishes done before 8 pm because at 7:45 my kids send a text to remind me, “Mommy, don’t forget to watch.” Admittedly, it’s hard these days to remember the days and times of live shows due to the past decade’s habit of watching on demand. However, I make the exception for the show Dancing with The Stars. As a new empty nester, I have found that watching this “live” show and our solidarity in voting for our favorites, gives me a great chance to connect with my kids.
Our family chat is filled with commentary on the performances and gripes about who was voted out or got to stay. The steady stream of light conversations that does not touch on the usual task, responsibility or accountability topics, brightens my day. What truly got us hooked on to this popular show is the dancing. The grace and beauty of ballroom dancing have entranced us, and our family has turned into loyal fans.
If I look back, I can identify the different phases of my life with the dances associated with each, even though I am neither an exponent nor a disciple of dance. My only formal training in dance began when I was in first grade under a Kathak guru but that only lasted for a couple of years. Although, what has remained with me is the appreciation of Indian classical dances that can leave the audience spellbound.
Memories from elementary and middle school years are filled with moments from folk dance performances ranging from koli (fishing community) to Kashmiri styles. The neighborhood garba and dandiya raas during Navratri brought out the inner power to twirl and clap rhythmically, a talent that remained dormant for the rest of the year.
Gradually the nature and venues of dancing changed, and the focus shifted to college socials and parties. Like most teenagers, my friends and I treated those occasions as opportunities to shop for pretty outfits and to “people watch.” Surreptitiously, we also hoped to be seen by the heartthrobs of our time. My eyes would always survey the floor to spot the couples who jived merrily oblivious to the awe of others and the rare break dancer who managed a good Michael Jackson imitation. I would surmise that much hasn’t changed in terms of the intention for today’s adolescents, but the moves definitely have. Similarly, dance floor music has evolved but some numbers seem to be timeless.
Once my children expressed an interest in learning to dance, the classics such as ballet and jazz waltzed into my life. Watching their little arms and feet following their instructors, and braving an audience, would make my heart melt. Photo albums filled with images from their recitals in their gorgeous costumes are some of my cherished possessions. As a parent, it was exciting to be a spectator observing my kids embrace the challenge of learning new forms such as lyrical and contemporary. The elegant and emotive storytelling through choreography made me wish I could do the same.
Despite the influence of different dances over the course of my life, what remains steady is Bollywood ishtyle, a genre that has invented both amazing and bizarre steps as well as borrowed from others. Bollywood dance, which can be loosely defined as dances in Hindi movies, has spun dreams, launched careers, broken hearts and more than anything else, compelled people to sway their hips and tap their feet. Dance sequences of enduring charm have inspired millions to pursue the study of dance. Skeptics may disagree but the silliest of numbers are just as valuable.
Just think of Govinda grooving to “main to raste pe ja raha tha” or Sunny Deol stomping and hopping to “yaara o yaara” with Karisma Kapoor. Don’t you agree that these can trigger a bout of laughter on a day when even Kapil Sharma can’t? That probably explains why oddly put together actions in the category of “Macarena” and “Gangnam style” are still popular. There is something liberating about doing a few simple steps in unison with a group and not worrying about looking awkward.
There is more than anecdotal evidence showing that dancing is beneficial for physical as well as mental wellbeing. It’s no wonder that around the world and across cultures, dance forms have developed to express key emotions, celebrate milestones, and to bring their community together. So, the next time you have the choice to sit it out or dance, just dance the night away. You know it’s ok yaar to discard the urge to judge and in the words of Taylor Swift, “Shake it off”.
Shyama Parui is a long time North Carolina resident and an ardent writer. You can reach her at: shyamashree_parui@hotmail.com.
