This past weekend, I participated in a Nrityanjali festival held on the occasion of Janmashtami at the Sri Lakshmi Temple here in Boston, Massachussetts- the city I now call home. As I watched dancers and dance students of all ages and caliber pay homage to Lord Krishna through dance, I reflected upon how dance and Aunty have shaped me as an individual and indeed, influenced my life itself.

Although I grew up mostly in Canada, I lived in Matunga, with my grandparents, during my formative years. During a visit to India in 1981, I had the good fortune to become Aunty’s student.

During my next visit to India in 1982, Aunty felt that I was ready for my arangetram that summer. Four months of intense training, which Aunty imparted with tireless dedication and rigor, followed. So many years later, I still remember the day of my arangetram with clarity- Aunty and Shyam Anna conducted the recital and were supported by Jaya Aunty, Chandran Uncle and Sabitha Aunty. So started a passion for dance that was nurtured by Aunty and my family for several years to come.

During the 1980s and early 1990s, I would spend 4 months of almost every summer in Mumbai- the days were filled with dance class at Aunty’s house and SIES school. I remember watching Saraswathi, Parvathi and Jaishree, among others, in awe, literally bursting with the desire to learn all that they knew. With Aunty’s incredible effort and exacting discipline- most days she would conduct classes for me twice a day- I would learn an entire margam, sometimes even two, in those few months.

Since the mid-1990s, due to life events such as a Masters’ degree in Chemical Engineering, marriage to my husband, Giri, establishing a career and home in Boston and most recently, the birth of our daughter, Vaibhavi, my involvement in dance has been limited to teaching and the occasional performance.

As I sat in the temple last week, my most poignant thoughts were not of performances in India or in North America, but of classes at Aunty’s house in Sion. What I cherish and miss the most is the indescribable joy of dancing to Aunty’s music and 'tattu kutchi', the sense of accomplishment at Aunty’s silent approval, excitement at learning a long-coveted new piece and sense of belonging to our dance family.

Growing up in Canada, I enjoyed the benefits, but also faced the challenges of straddling two cultures. Dance and carnatic music became the forces that tied me to my roots in all aspects of my life. As all students of Aunty will surely agree, she imparts to us loving discipline, humility, a love of hard work and a pursuit of perfection which benefit us in all aspects of our lives.

I find the question I am often asked, "Do you still 'keep' your dance?", to be very perplexing. Dance is a part of who I am- most times, my beloved dance songs and jathis form a constant background to my thoughts- like a multi-hued tapestry. Even when I dance again after a break of months, after a few days, the movements flow again- as naturally as the breath I take. So, indeed, dance is not a hobby or an artform that I have learnt- it is very simply, a part of me.

As I contemplate the new joy in my life now, motherhood- I hope that Vaibhavi will be blessed to have Aunty and dance in her life, as I have.

- Janani