"Oh Rajee Narayan! just the name is enough!" said Mrs.Vinitha Subramanian, founder of Natyalaya School of Dance, Austin, Texas, a renowned and well-established guru. This was during a conversation after my short performance at the Austin Hindu Temple, on July 7th, 2007, for the 3-days Vigraha Pratishtha function.
A prayer hall filled with parents, kids and well-wishers. This was going to be my first performance in Austin. It was a great feeling. Thinking back, things happened so quickly in the past few weeks. A chance visit to the Austin Hindu Temple, getting introduced to the cultural event organiser, a warm welcome, an impromptu invitation to say a few words to encourage a young dancer after her performance, volunteering activities at the temple, an opportunity to perform during the function and now there I was, ready to perform, waiting to ascend the stage.
The event commenced with my humble offering to Lord Rama, the soul-stirring Tulsidas bhajan, Sri Ramachandra. The cultural event went on for two hours with dance performances from different dance schools, in and around the area.
After the performance, draped in a shawl, I was talking to a few people. One of the volunteers at the temple pointed out and appreciated the fact that I came in with a shawl and covered myself again, once I was done with my performance. She said it was something that she hadn't seen in a long time. She said that shows the level of training that we have received. I realized that "small things make a big difference". This was something that Aunty would insist we do... it has now become a habit. Thank you Aunty, for teaching us these small things and hopefully, we will make a big difference... wherever we go.
Life's journey has brought me to my next station - Austin, Texas. New place, new experiences, new challenges, the past two months have been very eventful and so far, so good. Being part of the Nritya Geethanjali family, distance doesn't matter, there's help and support... thank you for everything, Asha and Ragini. With the blessings of the Almighty, my Guru, elders and with Naveen's support and encouragement, I have begun teaching here and am thoroughly enjoying the experience. Nritya Geethanjali, Texas... sounds good!
- Mrudula Naveen
