For Unity and Diversity day, previously known on this blog as UN day, I have been asked by Ms. Tanuja to join a group dance featuring primary/secondary teachers, service staff and now students upon my addition. This is quite a nostalgic for me because during primary I used to be apart of a dance troupe with Ms. Tanuja named NATANDA. It was mostly centered around contempary dance styles with an infusion of south asian flair (paticularly influenced by Kandyan dance styles).
Rehearsals for Isa and I during the first week of October. The theme of this piece centers around various elements which I have the challenge of translating into graceful movements. As this group is quite large involving a variety of different skill levels, there is minimal choreography to a simple rhythm and will feature large sections of our own interpretations of the prompt. I am representing water so finding movements that relate to the natural flow and fluidity.
Unfortunetly due, to the short time period I was only able to attend a few rehearsals before the performance in which I committed my lunchtimes and afterschool to meet with Ms. Tanuja. I must admit it was a bit hard to visualize how to use the space without to practicing in the auditorium nor with all of my group members.
On Unity in Diveristy day with the exuberance of everyone contagious I couldn’t yet shake off slight thoughts of doubt. It didn’t help that many of primary teachers who saw me dance in primary told me they were looking forward to my performance. However with a small buffer period of Aura’s secretary general speech, I had time make a quick change out of my saree and calm myself before I performed. Honestly now looking back, the moment passed by in a blur it truly didn’t feel like 3 minutes at all. Once I stepped into the stage and the lights blurred out the audiences faces it was easy to let the music guide. This was the first time I was dancing with Ms. Michelle or Ms. Ralisa in my group, so there were quite a few movements that required me to adjust and rely on my spatial awareness skills.
When I finished the performance, adrenaline running through my viens, my only regret is why didn’t I perform more during secondary. Definently as a future goal I hope to perform a few more times throughout this school year. As the senior graduating class it is tradition we perform on Gecko Factor and for Sinhala and Tamil New Year so I hope for those dances to take more of a lead role doing choreography. Meanwhile I also want to look for chances to dance for Independence day perhaps.