Preparation for Class..

Tomorrow I start my Bharatanatyam classes at 10:00am sharp at the Kalabharati school. The school is located in the heart of Thrissur city. I am a bit nervous and excited to meet my teacher, Aparna. I do want to make a good impression.  I have prepared a guru dakshina for my teacher. A dakshina is an offering to your teacher that symbolizes the appreciation, respect, and commitment of the student to the intended study, knowledge of the teacher, and the process of learning. A traditional dakshina will have the following items...

betal nuts
betal leaves
money in the form of a coin

Other offerings can include fruit, sweets, coconut, garlands of flowers.

The dakshina is presented to the guru in your hands and often laid at the foot of the teacher or offered to her then presented as puja to Sri Shiva Nataraja. In traditional Hindu monetary offerings the amounts are presented in 1's or odd numbers.. so, for instance,  if the payment/offering is 100 rupees, I would offer 101 rupees as the odd number is considered auspicious and any even amount inauspicious.

Here is a video of my teacher dancing Bharatanatyam.

I just spoke with Aparna via telephone. She is a touring professional dancer and just arrived back from a series of shows in Dubai. We are excited to meet each other. She expressed that my knowledge and commitment to this art has impressed her. That calmed my nerves, as I feel old and nutty persuing this at times. It was a kind thing of her to say, I feel better.

Tonight I will review the footwork I know and do some drills to increase stamina. I must above all remember to let go of that ego and do my best. Don't be nervous, but be excited this is a wonderful opportunity to learn and this will be awesome.

Namaste,
Christy