Rhythm of life

Today is a special day. 14 years ago, on this very day I had joined my dance class, as reluctant as ever could be. Actually it had been my mother who made me victim to her desires. Its not that I complain any more, rather I am very grateful to her, that her decision maneuvered its way through my silly tantrums. It was raining cats and dogs outside, one of those rainy days, which most delhites dread. I had traveled all the way from Faridabad which was a good 56 kms from the dance institute in that weather. I stood mawkishly outside the classroom, chanting curses to my mom under my breath. I could see no highway option against my mother's determination to make me learn this particular classical art form. So loathing her as much as possible, I entered the classroom, clutching her saree. There sat a lady on a low height couch, wearing a maroon saree, black rimmed spectacles, a round maroon kum kum, adorned her forehead, and above all what drew my attention the most, was that million dollar smile. I never realised when my grip had loosened and I had let go of my mom's saree, and was slowly ushered towards her. With utmost care and warmth she asked me whether I had any dancing experience or not, and made me do couple of steps to see whether I am capable of adopting this style! Here I would like to mention one thing, as far as I have known her, she has never returned a student, but has always tried to bring out the best in each candidate! I was taken in by her and I formally became the disciple of a living legend, an extraordinary danseuse, a person who epitomizes perfection, dignity, aesthetics,creativity, devotion, love, and serenity! I would not deny that even after couple of weeks, I still did not like myself being dragged from school, fed in the local trains, knee breaking one hour dance practice, a horrendous journey back home, and to top it all, never ending saga of homeworks, assignments, worksheets, and exams! I cannot pinpoint what exactly made me fall in love with this art form, but my teacher surely had been a pied piper. Exams and other academic stresses persisted for another decade but unceasing dedication to dance and my teacher always kept me rejuvenated and kept the fire burning! The very presence of my Guru in the class, acted as an antidote to any kind of mundane feelings. It was the best thing that had happened to me and probably the best thing that I will relish till my last day! I feel blessed and privileged to have someone like her to show me the righteous path. 14 years of teenage and adolescence, under her guidance flowered into a beautiful youth, which enables me to see the most unnoticed and delicate nuances of life. Apart from dance what I learn from my Guru is to be humane, way of conduct, and other little things which strengthens the persona so much so that I have paved my identity amongst many commoners. My teacher always emphasizes on the concept of centrality, and orderliness. Through dance, we realize that how important a center of space is. Similarly each individual should have a focus or a center point to concentrate on. Balancing the center at the right place is what will make you successful in the end. otherwise an individual with a dislocated center, will be nothing more than a stool with a broken leg, which neither stands nor falls!