AUTUMN - Acrostic

by Sravanthi Vallampati.
Much as I love Spring and Summer, there's a certain magic in the air as Autumn negotiates that last turn around the corner to present itself !!! As days become shorter, blooms turn into berries and each leaf into a flower fluttering through a perfectly situated autumnal day, whistling under my breath, I stand gazing into the trees in my yard, wishing I was a bird or a butterfly with abundant opportunities to get up close with the maiden of Autumn, laden in the golden load left behind by summer past.....thinking not so much of the harshness of winter but a time to prepare for the spring to come!

As trees turn color, Crimson, Cherry and Gold, I soak
Under showers of falling leaves, watching Geese fly South
Taking a deep cleansing breath of crisp Autumn air, gazing
Undeterred by the winnowing wind into fading light, sipping
Mild Apple cider, with Cinnamon warm and tart just right!
Not a place on earth I'd rather be, than in my neck of woods!

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.

A Farewell Wish

Preface:
Well this time, no kidding!
I was at a Chinese restaurant for lunch at noon today. I am not entirely sure what my fortune cookie message meant, but it read: "The secret to keeping good friends is no secret to you"..... My conclusion: The meal is awesome, I don't really know the secret, I am blessed with very kind friends that let me believe that I do, and that the fortune cookie people are in cahoots with the coincidence gods. How else could anyone have guessed what's been on my mind?
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Dear Sobha and Sahadev,

Though it was by chance that we met, I am glad we chose to be friends. I'll admit, it was difficult to not seek friendship with folks like you and I am thankful that our relationship has extended into realms beyond it's first circumstance.
Knowing you two has been a tremendous gift to me. I got re-introduced to facets of my life that I knew existed but never thought would be so joyful to explore, realize and share. Whether it is in a crowd or in select company, you are such a pleasure or should I say, 'calming influence' to be around. In Apoorva and Pooja's dictionary the synonyms for that read more like 'Fun, Funny, playful, kind, soft-spoken, good cook' and so on. In Mohan's, NEOTA and GNO. Singular though it is, you each have a way about yourselves that is utterly disarming yet without any force of word or deed. In your simplicity of thought and action and your deep desire to make a positive difference in the ways of the world, you have unknowingly inspired me to be a Better Person. I knew I was good, but better sounds better than good, doesn't it? Just kidding! No, it was not a 5-day crash course in spirituality or go-Green initiatives offered at Parker Lake Estates, but a journey in quiet understanding, constant learning and sincere admiration.

Needless to say, we'll miss you terribly, Mohan, Apoorva, Pooja and I .......

A farewell wish is necessary to nudge you to look forward to the moments of our meeting again, so here it goes....
My heart says that I should take a chance and literally follow you to your destination but my commonsense that most often comes to my rescue demands that I should let it prevail and stay back to simply remind friends and well-wishers that Singapore is well-connected by air and that you are fantastic hosts who are sure to top off a welcome meal with at least one scoop of ice-cream!
I want to hold on to your friendship, which I will in spirit, but let you leave because I know this new place that you are eager to call home awaits you, so you can transform it with your presence into one that is as sweet as the one you are leaving behind.

I pray that God keep you both just the way you are, happy, compassionate, kind, simple and true to your thoughts and values.

I don't think I want to say Good-bye because I have a feeling we are going to meet again soon :-)

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NEOTA - Northeast Ohio Telugu Association
GNO - Guys Night Out
Parker Lake - Sobha and Sahadev lived in that community

On Singing for Joy!

Annamacharya Aradhana was started 3 years ago by a small yet passionate group of music lovers among the Telugu community in the Cleveland area to celebrate the life and works of the great poet, composer Tallapaka Annamacharya. The event has achieved great success in bringing together teachers, students and music enthusiasts alike, to extol the beauty and devotion in the compositions through music and dance performances.

An ardent devotee of Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati Annamacharya (also known as Annamayya) successfully composed more than 32,000 Sankirtanas in a style that is impossible to replicate! Only 14,000 of these Sankirtanas are available at present. He was credited to have come up with Pallavi and Charanam division of a song. Annamayya considered his compositions as floral offerings to God. In the Saptagiri Sankirtanas, he praises Venkateswara, the Saptagiri vasa or the Lord that resides within the 7 hills, in verses that describe his love for Venkata Chalapathi, praise for his ishtadaivam’s Mahima leading to a total surrender or Saranaagathi at the divine lord’s feet. "Rasanam Lakshanam Bhajanam" , meaning the act by which we feel closer to either our true self (atman), or to God (Ishvara) couldn’t be expressed more eloquently than in the unique style of spoken feeling that perfectly blends love, admiration, devotion and ultimate union with the paramatma!


by Sravanthi Vallampati

It's funny how my friends think I can sing....
Preface: My exercise in understanding and singing Annamayya's divine compositions.

It's funny how my friends think I can sing
funnier even, they compliment and say 'wow'!
Not my teachers, mind you! They only lament,
often stopping shy of shedding a painful tear,
or think me a child and chide in casual company;
The stern stare, furrowing frown and deep sigh
only too legit, at my rendition poor, notes off-key!


As time passes by and my day warrants hours 4 more,
I often wonder why I long to go back to sing that song
of delight with utter glee, (notes off-key notwithstanding),
to lift myself up, above my own hesitant expectation;


It's not so much the song but the choir I love, I recall now,
the enmeshed feelings of fun, food and some learning,
(of course!) as music fills the air and I learn a thing or two
from my funny friends in the choir that think I can sing.
And yes, to those enduring souls that try to instil in me,
some love for that song of yesterday, I am thankful to you
for making me wish I could sing again!


It's funny how my friends think I can sing
funnier even, they compliment and say 'wow',
if ever you wondered why I love them so,
stop right there, you now know!

On Dancing for Joy!

by Sravanthi Vallampati

It's time to Dance, her Heart commands,
her Soul as though awakening to action
takes on the world with flying feet,
lifting it up with spirit free, Joy unconfined;
Looking to Heaven with ravished eyes,
one with the azure sky, she danced along....

Decked like a bride, garb and ornament,
belts of gold tightened at waist,
her aides instruments rare, song most mellifluous;
Dancing prayer, folklore and romance
with ease unmatched and grace sole,
Lost in her Soul's Joy, she danced along....

What thoughts come to mind as we hurriedly make our way into an auditorium to witness a performance of someone who believes that 'Dance is the hidden language of the soul' is anyone's guess. The stage, exquisitely decorated with an idol of the Lord of dance,' Nataraja' himself on one side and a live orchestra on the other, was still, but for the flickering of a lamp at the altar. The rustle of footsteps, the testing of the instruments and lighting and backstage preparation came to a halt as a prayer invoking the blessings of the Gods and the Guru ushered the commencement of the proceedings. It was an occasion to celebrate and bring into focus the unique talent, energy and multi-faceted personality of Mahima Venkatesh through her Bharatanatya Arangetram.

Bharatanatyam, an age-old and cherished dance form of India is taught and learned with great veneration and pride to this day. The ‘Narthaki’ (dancer) of this highly cultivated dance form brings to life the scintillating dynamic between 'Lasya', the graceful feminine lines and movements, and 'Tandava', the energetic masculine action, to ultimately conceptualize the essence in an engagement of cosmic proportions. The word 'Bharat' is made up of three Sanskrit terms: 'Bhaav' - emotion, 'Raag' - music, and 'Taal' - rhythm. 'Natyam' means drama. The two words together describe this divine dance form where drama is heightened by over-powering emotion expressed in words set to rhythm-aware music. Bharatanatyam, it is said, is the embodiment of music in visual form, a ceremony in itself, and an act of devotion and celebration. The dancer that dreams of pursuing this art is required to work towards perfecting the ten essentials namely Javaha (Agility), Sthirathvam (Steadiness), Rekha (graceful lines), Bhramari(balance in pirouettes), Drishti (glance), Shramaha (hard work), Medha (intelligence), Shraddha(devotion), Vacho (good speech), and Geetam (singing ability).

Cheered on by teachers, family and friends, Mahima, a sophomore at Strongsville High School took center stage to open the evening with 'Pushpaanjali', a floral offering to Lord Shiva (Nataraja) followed by a prayer to the remover of obstacles, Lord Ganesha. Her handling of the delicate balance between perfection and beauty right from the start set a tone of high expectation for the evening. Mahima’s elaborate gestures, rhythmic movements, emotional and sentimental states of mind complemented by impeccably appointed music, costumes and accessories, took the audience through a journey of the 'Navarasas'. From extolling the beauty of the presiding deity of the temple of Madhura Meenakshi to folklore popular for its pure and simple emotional content, through depictions of childhood exploits of Lord Krishna, the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, the enraged outpourings of a disgruntled lover, leading towards a technically superior performance laced with graceful agility.

A performance par excellence such as this one is the result of genuine interest, immense hard work, unflinching dedication, tremendous encouragement and keen instruction. Mahima is a disciple Smt. Sujatha Srinivasan of Shree Kala Mandir under whose tutelage, she has given many a solo performance and participated in dance dramas like ‘Shadripu’, ‘Minstrels of God’ and ‘Andal’. Throughout her presence on stage, her deep love of dance and the desire to share her joy of learning and perfecting the art was evident as her body swayed to charming melodies rendered perfectly by Smt. Pusthakam Ramaa suitably accompanied by Sri. K.S. Jayaram on Flute, Sri. Janardhana Rao on Mrudangam, Sri. Prasanna Kumar on Kanjira, Rhythm pad & Morsing and Smt. Sujatha Srinivasan on nattuvangam.

The Chief Guest for the evening Dr. Kamala Reddy of Pittsburg, PA, a senior most student of Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam praised the unbridled enthusiasm and energy of youth today who are unafraid to explore their inner selves and display the courage to make their dreams a reality. Smt. Nirmala Balasubramanian, the Guest of Honor and Mahima’s preschool teacher at Bama Montessori was overjoyed as she reminisced years gone by and said that it is no surprise students like Mahima with their positive attitude and leadership qualities, have come this far and was certain that many more years of success and achievement lay in the future. An all Honors student, active Girl scout, Science enthusiast, Flautist, young journalist and a budding leader, Mahima is sure to make a name for herself not only in the dance circuit but also in her other areas of interest.

For the rest of us out there, young dancers like Mahima are but an inspiration to take a deep breath, tie our hair back and dance for joy or just lose ourselves in a performance like the one I had the good fortune of witnessing and look forward to another savory experience! My sincere admiration goes out to Mahima’s parents Sowmya and Venkatesh and her little sister Mahati without whose commitment, dedication and encouragement celebrations like this one in the life of a young artist would be, but impossible.

On Hope

by Sravanthi Vallampati



Preface:
An artist’s depiction of his desperate state of body and mind as he struggles to find his muse.

A unique sort of pleading monologue, an appeal to the Gods of the creative process to preside over with a smile, so thoughts that demand to be distilled can journey into this world that seems to hold promise to all but him!Though his thoughts bleed with despair, Hope springs eternal in his heart....



My desolate thoughts drift aimlessly into the midnight calm,
I despair, perched on a wall, untold woes my soul’s endur’d;
Bleak promise of bread, tattered garb, soul rife with indigence,
no industry doth suit my desires, my guised maiden eludes still;

To the tide of time stands, my frail body an arduous testimony,
Many have come and gone, their shining masterpieces sporting;
Convict of my own affliction, unyielding conviction, I, my saboteur,
aching for thy je ne sais quoi to carve my oeuvre, ardor ignite!

I feed on dreams of hope through the wakeful night, dreams
that succor me tread the tempestuous raillery of existence,
for, tomorrow may be the morn that brings on its swift wings,
my glimmer of heavenly Hope – my calling, my muse!

Descend on me like the twilight I see from this lowly gutter;
By design or happenstance, Descend, so I may rise to meet thee!
Let me rejoice in your attendance or be consumed by acute privation
should destiny keep you from awarding me sweet deliverance.

Let me not ever awake, lie an appalling waste in my eternal dream,
But take away not mine beloved treasure from me, I implore you!
For my love of life, Hope is all I have,
for triumph or tragedy, Hope is all I will.