Jersey Girls down the shore

Atlantic City has been my dream dance destination for over a decade. The newly built convention center hosted this years Banga Sammelan, a 3 day festivity that attracts thousands of Bengalis in North America.
We were over- stretching our limits by taking on this committment, a mere 3 weeks before our own show. All of us had reached a break-down point. The dances for Banga Sammelan were totally different from our show dances. An entirely new routine had to be mastered & perfected in a limited time span. We worked diligently, trying to keep our heads clear. Not an easy feat if you are doing 10 different dances in a month's time.
It was sheer will power that worked here. There was a point of insanity when you would practice your dance expressions at the gas station attendant or your mudras while driving. We had to focus 100% and be calm before the show. The new costumes lifted our spirits as did the beautiful stage lighting. Our New Jersey supporters turned up to cheer us on. The medley of dances went by fast. Hours & hours of excitement was over in a flash.
We were all set on having fun. We went beserk shopping for sarees & kurtis before wearing traditional Bengali sarees & participating in a fashion show. Our beaming, smiling faces showed our relief having gone through one big show. A days break was what we got before heading back home & rehearsing for our own show.

Look who is behind you? Lord Jagannath

Dasabatar was a labor of love. We were lucky to get 10 different people to play the 10 avatars. For over 6 months we had been learning this challenging piece, trying to memorize every avatar. After mastering the traditional Jayadev slokas, we started learning the newly recorded version with narration. We were kept on the edge till the very end before each person got her avatar. I am amazed at my director's foresight in assigning a role suited to each dancers personality. I craved for Rama & was grateful to have the opportunity to enact him.
On the day of the show, we rehearsed for this opening act. When the curtains went up, all of us were in a calm, meditative state, absolutely enjoying the roles we had been assigned. That very morning, I had carried Jagannath in my car to the theatre. Turning back in the darkness of the hall, I found him seated behind me. That was a blessing! Having him in such close proximity, I knew the show would be fabulous. Dasabatar would be the talk of the town. Jagannath would bless me in my ashtapadi, Lalita labangalata, which I had learnt at his feet.
May he continue to bless & guide me forever!

Dancing with a star

Since we couldn't have auditioned for a TV show, the best thing to happen was to get actress Indrani Haldar to dance with us in our version of Dancing with the Stars.She played the lead role of Chandalika in the Tagore dance drama. Working with such a well-established award winning star was quite a memorable experience for all of us.
Last 2 weeks, all the fun & games was over. No more Chinese take-outs or cooking group lunches. It was time to do our routine faultlessly. We were dancing in a contemporary style, different from Odissi. We all knew the routine in our sleep but the stage positionings were a challenge.
Every dance was drastically different in nature. One scene we were snooty, mean village girls, then we changed costumes and became happy, dancing maidens before turning into vodoo & black magic practitioners. With so many costume changes there was no time to think about the routine. All the sweat & pain of the rehearsels was helping now when we wre breezing through the routines.
The theatre was jam packed,there was not an empty seat. Our well-wishers had turned out in full force to support us. The beaming faces of our friends & family showed how much they appreciated our effort. Their applause & smile is still embedded in my mind.

Running high on dance

This summer has been a gruelling test of endurance & stamina. Our long cherished dream of putting on a fabulous dance show on the occassion of the silver jubilee celebration of Guru Mitra's dance school came true.
We trained 5-6 days a week for over 2 months to look perfectly in sync with each other. Dance is all we dreamt about in this unbearable summer heat. Our trainers from Kolkata, Tapasda & Saheli grilled us the Indian way. Repeating again & again till we got it perfect. We trained morning & evening juggling family, jobs & household chores. Kudos to our families for putting up with us.
All of us forged a special bond with each other. This was our parallel family. Having meltdowns, sharing joys & disappointments together. Being the group co-ordinator I spent hours emailing & bonding with each person. We all drew from each other, focussed on pulling through with a positive team spirit. For many it was a return to dance after a long span of time. Getting such a break was good fortune but high pressure.
The last 10 days seemed never-ending for we were running high on adrenaline. Driving more than 2 hours & rehearsing in the theatre I returned at midnight to find my kids sleeping. It was a full time committment.
But it was all worth it. I know this was once in a lifetime experience.
I am fortunate to be a part of it and to foster this special friendship through the love of dance.