Born in Madurai, I grew up in Kanchipuram and Katpadi and completed my education
in Chennai. Marriage to a naval officer, saw me step out of my home state and
spread my wings. I had the wonderful opportunity to experience life in several
Indian States as also beyond the frontiers of my country. I had the opportunity
to visit several countries in the last 26-years.
But, wherever I was I continued to retain my connections with my roots - the
Arts, the rich Indian culture and the religious beliefs and traditions that I
had been brought up with since childhood.
Dance has been passion with me, from the time I was 6-years old and is an
integral part of my life. Even
today, I can recall those moments when, as a child, my Guruji would come home to
teach me Bharat
Natyam. I spent hours happily learning the beautiful dance form, perfecting it
and enjoying the 'Cosmic Dance of Shiva'. The bonus came in the form of those
lovely trips with our Guruji, to almost all the towns of North Arcot District -
Arcot, Kudiyalham, Arani, Panipet and many more.
To me, dance is 'meditation in motion'. As I perform, I discover, to my pleasant surprise
various dimensions unfold before me, leading me to rediscover myself - complete internalization,
down to my inner-most core.
And then it happened... The opportunity to re-discover myself once again, to go back to my
roots... an opportunity to re-visit my place of
birth after having been away for almost 25 long years... this time as a dancer, with the most
looked-forward chance to perform at the
Thiruvadipooram festival, in Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu.
lt was only in April 2002, that I had visited several Divya-Kshetras, like Srirangam, Madurai
and Villiputhur, and had prayed to the Lords that I be given an opportunity to perform the
'Sri Andal' dance ballet in Srivilliputhur. And my
prayers were answered. After a silence of 8 weeks, I received the much longed for invitation from
Sri Varadaraja Bhattar, inviting me to perform at the Srivilliputhur Temple, as part of
the Thiruvadipooram Festival.
My joy knew no bounds. I had been performing Sri
Andal's Thiruppavai and her dream wedding to
Ranganatha (Varanamayiram), from the
time I was 6-years old, with religious regularity, every year in the month of
Maargazhi. And now, to be invited to perform at Her Shrine was the ultimate joy
I could experience.
The long hours of preparation seem to pass in a twinkle... compiling songs and
hymns from the Sri
Divya Suri Charitam, Godha Sthuthi, Thiruvaimozhi, Nachiyar Thirumozhi,
Thiruppavai, Varanamayiram and of course the conclusion... the Sri Ranganatha
Ashtakam in praise of the Vatpatra Sai, the presiding deity of Srivilliputhur.
The day I arrived in Srivilliputhur, I felt as though I had arrived in Vaikuntha.
The head priest along with others amidst vedic chanting received me. I really
felt as though I was 'Godadevi' who
had stepped down from the Heavens, in person, to sing and dance on this most
auspicious occasion. As I was being led by the Bhattars of the temple, I felt as
though they were leading me to my virtual sublimation with the Lord.
That night I dreamt about Godadevi, and experienced how she would have felt,
growing up in that atmosphere, meditating upon the
Vatapatra Sai. Her experience and her urge to attain Him,
remained with me as I woke up the next morning - August 8 for my grand
celebration.
Every step I took, I felt I was moving towards eternity. The Tulsi garden
appeared to be Vrindavan,
transporting me to the banks of the river Yamuna amidst the dance and frolic of
Lord Krishna and the Gopikas.
After a 4-hour rehearsal with my troupe, the food that was served to us tasted
like Amrit. It had been specially prepared and was offered to us as Prasadam.
This gave us unusual amounts of energy...... I could feel myself as a virtual
storehouse of divine energy.
The moment of reckoning had come... the time was 6.45 in the evening. Dressed
and ready, with all my accompanists in place, I was introduced to the audience
and welcomed with lots of garlands and a beautiful green parrot. I commenced my
recital, with the blessings of 'Sri Andal'.
For the initial two hymns, I was very much there, on earth amidst the
appreciative audience. But, slowly, as the story of 'Sri Andal' continued to
unfold, I felt my consciousness lift to a higher level. I could feel all the
energies of saints and Masters flow through me and around me, as though the
masters had gathered to see me perform. I lost myself completely, to that
feeling of divine presence. I grew beyond the physical body. I was soaked to my
inner core with pure devotion for Lord Ranganatha
and desired to merge with him.
Nothing mattered, nothing existed anymore except the desire to be with the Lord.
It was as though I had come home, truly, with preparations being made for my
wedding with Sri Ranganatha. As I concluded the recital with hymns in praise of
Lord Ranganatha, I felt my energies rise and merge with Him.
What a lovely Homecoming...to my place of birth...to my Tamil Nadu. I pray to
the Lord that I get many more such opportunities to return again and again here,
to perform the glory of God in every form.
Related Topics:
YKUF's Bharat Natyam Classes
Curative Power of
Indian Classical Dance
Dance - Moving
Meditation
For More Information Contact:
Yoga Kala Upasana Foundation
P.O. Box No. 1933, G.P.O. Mumbai 400 001
Tel: +91 (022) 2284-4449
Tele Fax: +91 (022) 2281-5526
Internet: info@yogakalaupasana.org