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.