MTV 1998 VMA's video

Here's the link to a beautiful video from 1998 with Madonna, accompanied by the Patnaik sisters (the daughters whose father hosts the visiting Orissi teachers who train me). I remember watching this performance in 1998 and practicing bharatanatyam to this very song! Very beautiful video, enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlb1GSrGWtM

30 minute Aryuvedic Spa Treatment and Bath

Step 1

Make a body "mask" using a thin paste of ground almonds + wheat flour + lentil powder + water or a body cleanser. Rub paste all over body and let dry. Then brush off with a dry towel to exfoliate. Do not use brush or loofa.

Step 2

Massage body with sesame or almond oil + 1 pinch turmeric powder to simulate circulation, strengthen agni, and improve ojas. Ojas: the essence of the seven dhatus and the source of physical immunity; one of the three vital forces, along with prana and tejas, that govern life functions. Agni: biological fire that governs metabolism. Also called the "digestive fire." Corresponds to tejas, which is one of the three vital forces; the "fire of the mind"; the transformative principle in the body.

Step 3

Take a warm bath for 15-20 minutes, adding to the bath water:

For dry skin: 1 tsp honey + 7-8 drops rose essential oil

For sensitive skin: 1 handful dry milk powder

For oily skin: 5-6 drops lavender, rosemary, or lemon oil

Step 4

After bath, pat dry and use body oil to nourish and moisturize skin

From the book Absolute Beauty by Pratima Raichur

First Day

After five years, I have finally re-entered the world of classical Indian dance!

As I drove into Encinitas, I was struck by the pastoral beauty of the rolling farmlands around me. San Diego seemed barren and dry compared to the fertile landscape and charming Spanish farmhouses that make Encinitas so appealing. When I arrived at the Patnaik household, I beheld the huge Spanish villa before me. When I walked through the arc of a large stucco structure with wrought iron gates, I noticed a colorful mosaic sign that read "The Patnaiks." I instantly felt at home.

After entering the gate I noticed a carved wooden front door, before which sat a pile of assorted shoes and sandals. Suddenly, I was struck by a familiar sound to my right. "They, thakah thireh thakeh..." and the stomping of feet, interspersed by young girls' chatter. I glanced over to a window and watched a group of younger girls obediently doing footwork to the commanding voice of a young man. Intrigued, I stepped towards the front door and rang the bell.

Inside, marble floors and expensive furniture enveloped me as one of Dr. Patnaik's daughters escorted me to the garage-turned-dance-room. I waited for the group of young girls to finish their exercises and met my teacher, Madhusmita, her husband (the young man I had seen teaching the younger class) their absolutely beautiful little daughter, and Madhuri, another gal my age with whom I will be training. Madhusmita explained to me that her Visa would expire next month, so Laboni, Shiboni or Shivali (the Patnaik daughters) would teach me in the interim until the next visiting teacher from Orissa would arrive. 

Throughout the class, I kept an open heart and an open mind. I envisioned my soul as honey, warm and sweet so as to be respectful to my teacher and fellow student. The most striking aspects of Orissa thus far is its contrast to my years of training in Bharatanatyam. Bharatanatyam is much more rigid that Odissi. Odissi uses very similar footwork and the eternal squat that calls for strong legs, but the grace and fluidity of its movements distinguish it from Bharatanatyam. 

After an early morning boot camp at my gym and then an hour and a half of dance, my body is sure to be ridiculously sore tomorrow morning. Bring it on, lactic acid! I'm practicing every single day!

I took notes on my exercises for the week and recopied them. Scan is below. 

A new dancer, a new beginning.

I am pleased to say that I am a new student of one of the oldest Indian classical dance traditions.  Orissi, or Odissi Indian classical dance was born in the Eastern state of Orissa in India.  It has a long tradition but was nearly suppressed by the British Raj.

ArtIndia.net defines Odissi as follows:

"The current form of Odissi is the product of a 20th century revival.  Dedicated scholars and dance enthusiasts carefully researched manuscripts and studied the sculpture, painting and poetry of the region.  They also met and observed the performances of the few existing performers, in order to revive and restructure Odissi as a unique classical dance style adapted to the requirements of formal stage presentation.  Over the years Odissi has become one of the most popular classical dance styles.

The technique of Odissi includes repeated use of the tribhangi, or thrice deflected posture, in which the body is bent in three places, approximating the shape of a helix.  This posture and the characteristic shifting of the torso from side to side, make Odissi a difficult style to execute.  When mastered, it is the epitome of fluid grace and has a distinctively lyrical quality that is very appealing."

My first experience with Odissi was at a performance in Norfolk, Virginia when I was in eighth grade.  At the time, I was under the tutelage of guru Malini Srirama in Bharatanatyam Indian classical dance, a dance form from the state of Tamil Nadu in South India.  After seeing the performance, I was so impressed that I expressed my desire to practice Odissi to my mother and father.  Unfortunately, there were no gurus in our area who could train me, so I stuck with Bharatanatyam until I moved away for college after graduating high school. 

After five years without dance in my life, I can't believe it took me two semesters to discover the Center for World Music in San Diego!  The center is a nonprofit organization that strives to spread awareness of the world's performing arts.  Thanks to the Center, I am the newest student of guru Madhusmita Mohanty, an accomplished Odissi dancer who has performed all over the globe who is also a visiting teacher staying at a Dr. Patnaik's house in San Diego. Apparantly, Dr. Patnaik is the treasurer for the Center and hosts visiting teachers from Orissa. Patnaik's daughters are also accomplished Bharatanatyam and Orissi dancers.  If Madhusmita leaves the area, one of Dr. Patnaik's daughters will train me. 

I am so fortunate to have the opportunity of pursuing my childhood dream, having two parents who helped me realize my talent for dance at a young age and to be a part of such a beautiful tradition. It is unusual for a girl from an Islamic background to be practicing Hindu temple dances, but this is all the more proof that art is secular. It is meant for everyone, regardless of caste, color or creed.

Love and Light. 

Siham