Kuchipudi--a devotion to the god of dance, Shiva

Among the many blessings Jyotsna and Shreedhar have given their two daughters is a passion for Kuchipudi dance/కూచిపూడి.  This rare style of classical dance took root in the southern district of Andra Pradesh many centuries ago.  The father of Savita's current guru walked over 1,500 miles to bring the graceful style of dance to the cultural capital of southern India--Chennai--in the mid-20th century.  The Kuchipudi discipline is a colorful and powerful thread in the fabric of the lives of the Potarazus, so much so that their home in Chennai--Trinity--features a lovely dance studio in the literal center of their home. In the studio, Savita spends hours every day rehearsing the seven stories, or dances, she will perform for her "stage entry" (the literal translation of Rangapravesam). Guru Vempati Ravishankar, known affectionately as Ravi Uncle, mentors, sings and counts out the measures as Savita dances.  Her work for this performance is nearly done so he offers, now, little by way of critique.  Stunned by her mastery in rehearsal, I asked him if it could get any better.  His answer speaks to me of the spiritual nature of this dance form:  "there is no end to perfection."  Savita has been dancing with Ravi Uncle since she turned 5 years old.  It was impossible for me to conjure or appreciate this element of her life from the classroom at Sidwell where we grew close.  I am honored she is sharing this with me.  Her devoted family has welcomed many who love Savita and/or the artform to Chennai for this event.  We are all witness to a real gift of love, discipline, creativity, and faith.  Today, I arrived at the house for rehearsal to see the shrine in their studio freshly adorned with jasmine and red roses Sreedhar selected.  Framing the shrine are five bells from the temple in Chidambaram (see next post). One of the beautiful bells is featured as the principle image of this blog because it symbolizes the purpose of this special journey:  the sound of many voices ascending to the atmosphere where Shiva dances, inviting us all to join in the cycle of creation.