We all need someone who will fire our imagination and inspire our desire to be great dancers. As kids we need to see strong role models and concrete examples of dancers who inspire us with their beauty, technical mastery and spiritual values. As a little girl I knew that person for me was Suba - my mom's colleague's daughter. I had gone to her full solo recital or Arangetram when I was about 8 years old. By this time I had been learning Dasi Dance for about 4 years. And it was a boring and painfully uninspiring experience. Why? I had teachers who were crap. Simple. But my parents had no choice - there were no other teachers in the market. So we figured a crap teacher is better than no teacher. Just learn the vocabulary and keep searching for a outlet to express my artistry and divinity. So when I went to see Suba at her first solo show I was blown away. She transformed on stage from being an ordinary Indian gal and my "akka" (big sister) to someone who was a dance princess. I was sold. I remember going backstage to see her after the show. It was glamorous. The smell of the backstage, the sound, lights and the dressing room - wow with its huge mirrors and light bulbs around the mirror - the costumes and make up lying around. It was a major sensory experience. I felt like I was on a set of a movie star with an exclusive backstage pass. So, when my fans and especially kids come backstage to take pictures with me and ask for my autograph I always oblige. I know how critical a smile and a pat on the back can be to a little child in getting to commit to her artistic journey. No matter how tired I am after the show I try and make sure I do this for the kids.
From L-R: My mom, me (in orange), Suba (in costume) and Viji (my dance classmate and her sister).
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