First dance

The silver platter was adorned with fruits, money and jasmine flowers. The little girl rose to her feet while holding the platter when her dance teacher approached her.

           “Put down the platter first and get her blessings.” Her father instructed kindly.

She placed the platter back on to the floor. Then she straightened her long skirt and knelt down to touch her dance teacher’s feet. The other children and their parents watched as Myra enacted the Hindu custom of receiving a blessing from a guru. Myra looked up and her teacher smiled at her. She quickly squat down and picked up the platter.

           “This is for you teacher.” Myra handed her gift of apples, oranges, grapes, money and the fragrant flowers.

           “Thank you, I’ll see you Saturday for your first class.” The teacher smiled at Myra again, this time with her eyes.

The rest of the evening consisted of parents speaking to one another and Myra standing close to her father. There were a few other girls around her age. They all sat quietly eating sweet rice and other festive Hindu treats. The gathering was the initial step to beginning Bharatanatyam (Indian Classical dance). The purpose of the gathering was to introduce the teacher also known as the guru to the students and their parents. Becoming a Bharatanatyam dancer involved commitment. The lifestyle closely resembles that of a ballet dancer who devotes their time, their bodies and even their minds to the divine art. Myra was excited to start the following Saturday. She was seven years old and full of energy.

           It was only a year and Myra was her dance guru’s favourite student. When she was taught a new step, Myra picked it up right away. So, her guru asked Myra to demonstrate the step in front of the class. Her dance teacher commended Myra’s ability to pick up new steps right away and informed the rest of the class that Myra’s progression is due to her commitment. The other children looked blankly at Myra. And Myra felt a mix of glory and embarrassment. She had called her teacher once to ask what she should practice more of. But right after she hung up, she wondered if she should have called.

           The following Saturday, everyone was seated on the floor for announcements.

           “I am delighted to inform you that we have been asked to perform at a community event. I’ve told the organizers that we will perform two dances. One is a group dance and the other…is a solo.” She looked around the room and the students did not flinch.

           “Now, I have not decided on who will be performing. I will decide after today’s class. You’ve all been doing pretty well, but not well enough. In order to perform, you need to show me that you are committed.”

Myra was uncomfortable. She was nervous because she had to do her best today, but that was not the only reason why she was nervous. Myra was afraid to disappoint her guru and she was scared of the other students not liking her. Though she was only eight years old, Myra learned to ignore those negative feelings and she decided to do her best no matter the outcome.        

           “You may all go get a drink of water.” The dance teacher sat on her chair and waited for the students to come back.

           “I am very pleased with how you all danced today. I would like to include all of you in the two performances, but I cannot. The first dance is a lamp lighting dance and will require six dancers.” Once she finished calling the students’ names. She looked at Myra.

Myra was confused. She couldn’t believe she wasn’t chosen. But her confusion dissipated at her guru’s next words.

           “Myra will be doing the solo. Congratulations Myra.” The dance teacher didn’t smile at her this time. She had a serious expression on her face.

The community event was to happen in a month. Myra came home from school and she ate, did her homework then went straight to her dance teacher’s house. She had rigorous practices that lasted for hours. The last week was of practice; her teacher had a surprise for her.

           “This is what you will be wearing.” She took out a beautiful magenta dance costume and glittering jewelry to match her outfit.

Seeing the costume, Myra was ecstatic. She smiled with excitement. Her teacher told her to try it on and perform with it a couple of times to get used to the costume. Myra rushed to one of the rooms and put on the costume. She walked out feeling like a professional dancer, and definitely as a very happy eight year old. Myra danced and her teacher was very pleased.

           The hall was filled with people. There was food, other dancers and music playing in the background. Every detail was begging for Myra’s attention and soon she couldn’t focus on remembering her steps.

           “I’m a little nervous.” Myra toyed with the frills on her skirt.

           “Don’t be nervous Myra. You’re going to make me very proud.”

The lights grew dim and the announcer called out Myra’s name. Myra couldn’t move. The butterflies in her stomach fluttered uncontrollably.

           “I can’t do it. I don’t remember anything.” Myra looked to the floor avoiding the disappointment on her teacher’s face.

           “Next, we have Myra doing a solo.” The announcer looked to the side of the stage where Myra and her teacher were standing.

Her dance teacher indicated by hand that Myra would like to perform after the next performer. The announcer got the message and smoothly told the audience there’s a slight change of order in performances.

           “This is my first performance as a dance teacher. Are you going to disappoint me? I can’t face the people here and the parents if you don’t perform.” Myra’s teacher, the young, beautiful woman who arrived in Toronto just a year ago and left among everything else dear to her, her dance students in Sri Lanka because of the civil war started to cry.

Seeing the tears fall from her teacher’s big, beautiful eyes, Myra started to cry. She knew she had to do it. She hugged her teacher. Her guru knelt down, and Myra wiped the tears from her eyes.

           “I’ll do it. I’ll make you very proud.”

           “And now ladies and gentlemen, we have Myra to do a beautiful dance for us!”

Myra walked on to the stage and held her pose. As the volunteers drew the curtain, Myra glanced at her teacher. Her guru looked at her with hope and Myra faced the audience ready to perform.