My Creative Elders

My mom used to be the wardrobe mistress for my cousin Sarojini Devi. My mom and Devi had a very close bond fostered by their love for dance and music and of course fashion. This photo taken on 13 August 1967 displays their style sensibilities. They wear coordinated hip chains, pearl necklaces and very similar saris with hand embroidery. This is one of my mom's favorite pictures too. When I was a little four year old my mom often spoke of her experience helping and coaching Devi and standing at the wings to help with costumes changes etc. My mom knew all the various types of dances Devi did -ranging from classical to folk and the different costumes that went with it. She described a beautiful and glamorous world to me and encouraged me to become a great artist. Devi who I am still very close to helped me throughout my 30 year dance career. She was and continues to be a source of great knowledge and spiritual insights and is able to always answer some of the more nuanced questions I have. Thank you ladies for such wonderful inspiration and guidance. I hope to pass it along to the next generation and I have already started doing that by teaching Indian dance to my 5 year old and 3 year old nephews.