I got a call from my aunt informing me about an Odissi workshop conducted by Surupa Sen of Nrithyagarm being held at the renowned Bahratanatyam artsite Priyadarshini Govind's house. The name Surupa Sen caused a stir within me as she is one of the eminent dancers that i truly admire. To my eyes she is poetry in motion on stage with her delectable fluid movements; a treat to watch. How could i resist myself from seeing her when she is in the same city as me and conducting a workshop. Though the workshop had already started and despite my 14 month old daughter i decided to join. It would be a double treat, to meet Priyadarshini Govind and ofcourse to know Surupa Sen. The first day i spent looking for the place and the second day i was well in time for the class. And there i meet both the artistes. Yes Surupa Sen is petite but full of authority.
As my aunt said, she is brilliant. Her love and dedication for the art form is commendable. She taught us a few basic stretching exercices, scientifically. Scientifically i mean because all what she was doing: making us do, was by visualising the anatomy of the body. one realised how important it is for a dancer to understand the body.
The upper torso movement along with the neck and head movements in Odissi that looks very graceful and simple is indeed difficult to master. She had lot of tips for us. She insisted on the chest going soft, with a certain humility that a dancer should possess. Also a very uselful tip for me was to always keep in mind that the body is kept behind the arms for that perfect posture. It ensures that you dont hunch and also attain that soft look which otherwise you may not because one has the tendancy to put ones chest out for that imposing and confident look which is not the real look for a dancer.
The workshop taught us valuable lessons on the technique of dancing as well as the right stretching exercies. She had an open invitation for all to Nrityagarm and i am hoping to catch up with her there, at the idyllic dance village.
