Madhushree, Pranita, Dilshad, Suparna. These people have impacted the person I have become. Each teacher from a different style of dance, influencing the artist I am today. So many different styles Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Kathak, I mix it all together, throw in some bollywood and bhangra and you have a Priya style! All of them have given me so much. I give credit to Madhushree for being a guru, but really, being one of us. As well as giving me a taste of how fun Bharatanatyam is. Pranita aunty, she is the epitome of an artist. She taught me how to carry myself as a woman of the arts and feel each story. Dilshad, Guruji, he taught me how to be sensual, to be a court dancer while being an artist of the stage. Suparna aunty, she taught me to be a complex artist while teaching me the history of dance. All of them have given me something to add to my talent. But more importantly they have given me perspectives of the Guru Shishya (student) relationship. These people have been my confidants, cheerleaders and my board of trustees. Without their love and support I would not be where I am, in Bangalore embarking on a new adventure.
Being a dancer of the Indian classical traditions, the respect and admiration of a Guru goes far beyond that of mother and father. Not to say that it is more important, it's different. The things I share with my gurus, the emotions I feel, are my truths. I don't hesitate to be real and true in my heart with them. And best of all, they call me out on my BS. A guru knows their student's inner workings, emotions, triumphs and failures, all without uttering a word. I have walked into class with Pranita aunty and she has asked upon my entrances, "what happened?". No person, including my parents have been able to read me the way she does. She taught me how to channel my emotions and throw it into my dancing. Unlike parents, friends and siblings, there is an unspoken understanding between Guru and Shishya. It is a raw emotion necessary when sharing your art with the world. Gurus give everything they can to their students and vice versa. Students give their lives to their Gurus. We allow our gurus to say whatever they want. As students we take everything we can from our Gurus, and our gurus demand everything we have to give. Guru is always right. I would much rather argue with my parents then ever argue or disagree with my guru.
The best relationships I have had, have been with my gurus. I recently visited Guruji after not seeing him for 6 months. I realized how much I had missed him. It is because of the training I have had with Guruji that I have improved my Bharatanatyam. My abhinaya has become more realistic because I learnt how to feel more, be more of a woman. And a lot of that I got from Guruji, in his mujra style of teaching. But when I spend time with Guruji, it's not just learning the dance form, it's talking about the philosophy and concepts that then translate into dance. I love our conversations; they incorporate the perspectives of the dance from Hindu, Muslim, Indian, and Pakistani views, the melting pot that we are living in here in America. Preserving our traditional and classical art. From the first cup of chai, spending time with Guruji is a whole experience beyond the dance form. I first found that I started to think like an artist from him. Now I seek this every mentor I incorporate in my life. The knowledge and love I have and receive from my gurus has given me the confidence to pursue my passion wholeheartedly. I took a step back from Kathak to focus on Bharatanatyam but I realize it's the mix in training of both dance styles that is giving me the edge that I have.
If it wasn't for Pranita Aunty, I never would have considered myself a professional dancer a the age of 19, or applied for my Masters at 29, or auditioned for 'The Jungle Book'. Good things happen for a reason and circumstances occur for the reasons they do, to create the life you are to lead. I would not have found Pranita aunty if I hadn't picked up the newspaper at a restaurant on Devon. I would not have been doing the amazing things I am doing today if I didn't know she was behind me cheering me on. She made me a diva, good or bad ;). "Priya, every woman should want to be you, and every man should want you."
Pranita Aunty is the one who introduced me to Suparna aunty. Both who encouraged me to make to this trip to India to perform in India. Now that's a compliment. Two gurus telling you that you are good enough to perform there. I am excited to start the training with Suparna aunty. The two weeks I had with her last year were just a taste of what the next 2 months are going to be. I loved every minute we had together and the beauty of the gurus I have in my life is that they fully respect that I am learning from all of them.
In my preparation for this trip to India, quite a few questions have arose in my mind. This is a big deal, as I am going for the first time as a soloist to perform. I have never done anything like this before. First it was, am I talented enough to do this? Once I got over that fear, (well I haven't gotten over it entirely, I still think I'm crazy internally); will mom and dad let me do this? After much fight to leave, it was the initial shock! But to get through the initial shock... I had my gurus to give me the confidence to take this leap that I so desperately needed to do. I haven't taken myself seriously as an artist. It wasn't until about March/ April this year when I had a debut as a choreographer and became recognized for my talents. I always considered myself as someone who was good, not great. Semi talented, but not really "it". Taking this trip to India was going to legitimize my talent. Then all these amazing things started happening. I was being taken seriously, as an artist. This is a testament to my gurus. They gave me support I needed to believe that I am in fact, the real deal. For that I thank them and am truly grateful to experience this amazing Guru Shishya relationship.