Taking a breathe
This year has been moving at a frenetic pace, and I can’t believe it’s nearly June (HELLO trip around the sun #32, you are here FAR too quickly and I’m not ready!)
Generally speaking, my favorite approach to cooking is having pots and pans (and the oven) in various stages of simmering / sputtering / bubbling all at once, while I haphazardly chop and stir (and use every single dish in the process).
That’s what this year has felt like so far, between my dance projects, podcast work, work work, and life work, but I’m hoping I’ll have things to show for it sooner rather than later.
We did bid our lovely home of five years, with its studio space, blossoming garden, and (very undersized) kitchen goodbye this year, and that’s just added to this feeling of transition and… unmooredness. That home held a world of memories, from my son’s AND daughter’s first steps to my first forays into choreography (often at late hours, staring down exam deadlines). The Tyagayya Ganapati who graced my studio walls served as the backdrop for so many virtual performances and Zoom classes is now safely packed away, awaiting his new home, and honestly, I haven’t been giving myself the space to stop and think about it.
COVID caught up to my family this past week (we’re all fine), and once the splitting headache that heralded its presence made its exit, it forced me to stop and think and reflect, about what’s happened so far that I’m proud of, what I need to stay focused on.
So… good stuff first -
I’m so glad we were able to record another set of tracks for my mother’s choreographies - especially the challenging pieces I’ve struggled with over the course of many years, like Tatayya’s varnam and Siddhendra Stuthi, as well as Hanuman Chalisa. We’ve learned so much since the previous wave of choreographies, and we’re working smarter, better, and faster! AND, I got to say the jathis!
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to present a javali at this year’s Siddhendra Aradhana, and to speak about my process in understanding the Nayikas and my experience learning Abhinaya. This was most definitely a PUSH for me, and it’s not only Amma’s support, but the layers of analysis I learned over the course of my MA, and the sheer confidence and encouragement of people like my dear friend Kiran Rajagopalan that gave me the courage to “explore” and present the first rough draft of this javali.
I presented Siddhendra Stuthi! And - despite a strained something in my foot that had me forcibly resting the week before, I was able to record it in single take, which - in other words - means I’m getting stronger! And I’ve been riding that high ever since! So so so grateful to Ramana Rao Uncle and VAADA for letting me present this piece!
W&M - It was such an honor to perform at the Asian Centennial, and especially in the presence of such incredible fellow alums who are bringing positive change in the world. So grateful to have gotten to spend a weekend in Williamsburg for that!
I finished reading James Clear’s Atomic Habits. Hooooooly shit. Mind blown. Which takes me to…
Things I need to keep stayed focused on
Finishing Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart. Dude - from 8 sthayi bhavas + 8 sattvika bhavas + 33 sanchari bhavas to a whopping 87 codified emotions / experiences that people go through! I must get through this!
Dance practice. Saadhana saadhana saadhana. Big things coming later this year!
Organize my notes and ideas of mastering rhythm.
Finishing up our special off-season podcast series - out any day now. Keep your ears peeled - you’ve got to hear this! (I need to finish editing…)
Season 2 of the podcast - coming later this year. Cannot wait!
Adhere to schedule for my online work, whether it’s creating content or writing. I like it when I write. I like seeing progress over the course of my videos. So, I need to commit to when I’ll be carving out time to work on these things and sharing this work is a form of public accountability.
Exciting news for next month - I’m dancing as part of Dogtown Dance Theatre’s Touring Artist Series, presenting Amma’s choreographies, along with Sahaj, Anusha, and Vindhya. You’ll get to see what we’ve been working, between the recordings and the dance itself, and I’m so excited. Please buy your tickets here and come - there are 3 shows to choose from, and it’s my birthday weekend, so… come to the show. It’ll be a lovely present!
