BALLET LESSONS IN INDIA

I’ve always been fascinated about ballet since childhood.
[For the unacquainted, Ballet is a type of performance dance that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century and later developed into a concert dance form in France and Russia. Ballet requires years of training to learn and master, and much practice to retain proficiency. It has been taught in ballet schools around the world, which have historically used their own cultures to evolve the art. (Source, Wikipedia).]

 

Though I did complete my B.A in Classical Dance by the time I was in school (ie. Bharatnatyam, a dance form that originated from the temples of Tamil Nadu) and then later in my college years did my Post-Graduation with Kuchipudi (another dance form from Andhra Pradesh);  my dream to learn ballet was still unfulfilled.

 

Realistically speaking, India doesn’t boast of a fine ballet school. So, what do I do? Now that I’m no longer a young teen but an adult with a toddler to run after; my dream felt all the more hopeless to fulfill.  But, who can convince this to the mind? The mind itself can conjure up a million ways to find solutions.

 

Where was the solution?

In India.

When it could be done?

Right now and any time throughout the year!

 

Unbelievable? Let me explain. The end of the year in India means winters and the landlocked states like Madhya Pradesh have quite a chill in December and January months especially. This idea of learning ballet was brought in with one of the most dreadful winters and a sudden realization dawned on me that I’ve been waltzing around on the stone cold floors whenever my feet were bare. Standing or walking on toes (thanks to the chilling cold) has led me to practice my dream dance daily. So those who share this dream of mine; you have these terrible winters to be thankful for.

 

However, dance like any other performing arts needs regular riyaaz (practice).  How do I continue with these bravado stepping acts after the winter is over?

 

Thinking over it, I got it all sorted out. Our Indian summers are extreme to say the least, so trapezing across the sun-scorched floors wouldn’t be a problem! Then what can I do in monsoons? Enough puddles on the roads (thanks to the irregular repairs) can make my calisthenics rise to an art.

 

Isn’t it a fine idea to learn ballet? That too without paying a penny! Now the saying - When winter is near, can spring be far behind? makes a lot of sense to me. 

 

[The article is written by Kavita Jhala, a content writer]