How classical dance brought these G-Town women together
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How classical dance brought these G-Town women together

Despite long hours at work and an equally demanding personal life, the dancers, who got connected through a popular online group, don’t mind the daily rehearsals. Their driving force? Their common passion.

How classical dance brought these G-Town women together

Swirling flares of orange, gracefully fixed dupattas, beautiful temple jewellery and the synchronised rhythm of heavy ghungroos had everyone mesmerised. A group of 40 dancers, mostly professionals working with MNCs, came together to give a scintillating performance, Navagraha, at Epicenter, Gurgaon, recently.

Despite long hours at work, these performers didn’t mind pitching in three hours of rehearsals every day. Their driving force? A common passion for classical dance.

Jyotsana Anand, an interior designer and a resident of Gurgaon’s Nirvana Country, Sector 50, says, “I had learnt kathak as a child, and wanted to pursue it as a profession by opening a dance academy. But life had other plans — I got married and shifted to Chicago. Fortunately, I came back to India after 10 years. Life has given me another chance to follow what I had left behind. And I lost no time. Now I live my passion every day after work.”

Most of these women are in the 35-45 age bracket, and are hence required to meet the expectations of not just work life but personal life as well. But they certainly don’t mind — not while they can pursue their aspirations.  

 

The dancers perform at Epicenter, Gurgaon

 

These women are also members of Gurgaon Moms, a popular social media group that connects mothers across neighbourhoods and gives them the opportunity to do something for themselves. The group helped the dancers come together — to bond over their common love and perform for an audience. Now they are not just practising every day but performing at various corporate gigs in the NCR.

Rachna Yadav, who choreographed and produced the show, shares her insights into the changing perception of parents, and how it’s a positive trend for Indian classical dance. She elaborates, “Parents these days are encouraging their children to learn Indian classical dance, such as kathak, over hip-hop and Bollywood styles. But the best part is that even mothers are learning, along with their kids. For instance, for this production, the moms had already learnt kathak in their childhood and came back to it after decades to fulfil their passion.”

There are a few first-timers in the group as well, such as Minoo Phakey.

Phakey is a resident of DLF City Phase III, and is learning kathak with her 13-year-old daughter. “I always wanted to learn classical dance, but could not. I am now living my dream with the support of my husband and daughters. My daughters are taking kathak classes with me,” explains the proud mother.

Newcomer Reshmi Basu, a resident of DLF City, Phase V, shares her experience. “I started learning Kathak krom last year. The whole process has transformed me — it has energised my being. I don’t mind the late-night toil after office, or the long hours of practice during weekends. It’s been totally worth it!” says Basu, excitedly.