To the MOMS on my list

Dear friends.

You are receiving this note because you have in some way, shape or form enriched my life, helping me grow as an individual and stay motivated to make a positive difference in the world around me.
Your insights, thoughts and support serve as an anchor to me at all times and I want you to know that I am very thankful for that. As we each move towards success while striving to add value and meaning to the many aspects of our existence, we tend to not pause to recognize the impact that gentle attitudes and forgiving allowances make, in letting us reach our goals and conduct ourselves in such an amicable manner.
Here's a wish to all of you that have had the caring and the courage to don a mom's cap in various capacities, navigating smooth seas and rough waters with equal agility and coming through tranquil moments and teasing travails with a smile on your faces!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY :-)

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Desi moms are many things - Amiable, Beautiful, Caring, Diligent, Energetic, Funny, Gullible, Handy, Intelligent, Judgmental, etc. etc........
Here's a collection of some trite thoughts by a mom that will give you a laugh or two as we bring this annual exercise to celebrate our loveliness to a close......if you have not used any of these, use at your own peril! :-)
As far as I am concerned, we need a data-driven decision here....just one day to celebrate us in the entire year???


'Just wanna be me' Desi mom!
I am a Homemaker, not a compulsive Housekeeper.
I am tired of using PMS as an excuse. I am what I am, take it or leave it.
I make the rules and I am not interested in knowing names of those that don't care for them.
To My Dear....
If sitting down to watch Your favorite show on TV is the definition of Our quality time, I'd rather do the dishes.
I don't buy into it anymore when your mom says that I am aging gracefully and cites herself as an example.
If you utter 'vacation' and 'kids' in the same sentence without the word 'Nanny' in it,, you better find another partner.
Darling, I recognize that you find my innocence very endearing, but 'You look like the divine mom that you are' is not a compliment.
Tweezing eyebrows at the stoplight to lighten the contrast between my Zardozi Saree and an unmowed forehead is most definitely not a safety hazard.
I do not care that your sister in India thinks that going to the nail salon is a guilty pleasure. So what if I own a manicure kit, exfoliating cream and 2 dozen nail polishes?
Dal and rice combo has enough protein to keep you, me, our kids and the dog going until we are 82.5 yrs old. Just enjoy what's on the table or the kitchen is all yours.
Yes Dear, I said OK to your Big Screen TV just so I could go ahead and make a fruitful visit to SriKrishna. And, please hold off on the reminder that Gold is at an all-time high.
To My dear Friends.....
It is so nice of you to think that my kids are angels. Can you take them with you for a week?
I don't understand when you say 'Behind every successful man is a woman and behind her, the wife'.
There is no difference between a Concert and Competition. I work so hard all day so why should my kids get a break?
I have heard that using hair color makes women get hot flashes before they are 40. Is that true? and what are hot flashes anyway?
Yes, this is a recycled gift bag from my daughter's birthday last year. Knowing how much you care about the environment as well, I am convinced you won't mind.
I have graduated from secretly admiring Rita and her XXS T-shirts. With Yoga, I have perfected the technique where I have to take a breath only every 43 seconds.

On aspects of Bharatanatyam

Preface:
It is one thing to be impressed by the elaborate costumes, exquisite expressions, the fluid movements set to melodious music, vocal or instrumental, but entirely another to comprehend the drama as it unfolds with and understanding of its history, significance and place in the rich cutural map of the world that we live in.

It is not unusual for friends, their kids, and my own girls and their class-fellows to ask me in passing about what Bharatanatyam is.

Bharatanatyam is a popular classical dance form that originated in the Southern state of Tamilnadu in India.

A popular interpretation of the name 'Bharatanatyam' is BHAva (Expression) + RAga (Musical mode) + TAla (Rhythm) + NATYAM (Dance) = BHARATANATYAM

The dramatic art of storytelling via Bharatanatyam is highly stylized to include rhythmic movements of the body with emotions and sentiments displayed through facial expressions .set traditionally to melodious classical (Carnatic) music. It is considered to be the fire-dance, depicting the mystic presence of the element of Fire in the human body. The visual appeal lies in the dancer depicting the movements of a dancing flame. The costumes worn by the dancers are charmingly beautiful in exquisite colors, complimented by elaborate jewelry including the resounding bells on anklets.

It is believed that Bharatanatyam started in the temples and courts of Kings where groups of dancers performed this dance style as a form of worship as well as entertainment.. The 'devadasis', women that were dedicated to performing this divine dance form and their gurus, the 'Nattuvannars' carried this tradition into the 20th century. The Tanjore foursome (Quartet from the city of Tanjore) is credited with editing and recoding the various aspects of the dance to evolve into its present, popular form. Through the decades, the passion of gurus and inspired students has not only kept the dance form alive, but thriving to reach new heights in innovative, semi-classical adaptations transcending age-old barriers of culture, language and space.
Of the many aspects of Indian art experience, the audience plays an important role. Each person in the audience (the people that come to watch the performers), is expected to be 'Rasika' i.e. a one who can appreciate the arts and also a 'Sahridaya', a person who has come with an intention of appreciating, learning and savoring (enjoying) the richness of the art. Appreciation as 'Rasika' can also be attained through learning the dance form itself where the pupil or the 'Sishya' learns from the teacher or the 'Guru' over years of hardwork and dedication before reaching the ultimate state where the dancer loses himself/herself in the performing experience. Traditionally, a student is titled stage-ready after their debutante performance called 'Arangetram' where he/she takes center-stage for an evening of solo performances set to live orchestra.

Today, many universities across India and other countries offer Graduate and Post Graduate degrees in Bharatanatyam for those aspiring to go beyond the realms of appreciation. To bring the dance form to appeal to the younger, technology-savvy population, dance institutions and teachers have brought their knowledge, experience and the true beauty of this art form to the World Wide Web. Interested 'Rasikas' can not only learn about but learn Bharatanatyam over the internet. While the new trend is nowhere near surpassing the 'Guru-Sishya' tradition of growing together in this cultural experience, it surely has been successful in providing for audiences across the globe, an opportunity to learn about the sheer richness of a dance form that has proudly held its own in the ever transient world of socio-cultural dynamics.