Venkat Talks

OSTENTATIOUS OLYMPICS Participating in the Olympics is a dream for every performer, athlete, gymnast, sportsman etc. To live this dream in our teenage left me and my dear friends in my dance class, exhilarated and exultant. The moment we were conformed of this dream-cum-true trip to London of performance, we were completely enthralled. What an honour? We were lucky to represent India - Art and Culture, through our performance of a 3000 year old dance tradition of our land. Yes, we were the cultural ambassadors of our country to project and present the pride of Tamil Culture, Bharatanatyam. This thought made us feel very proud and responsible. We started our vigourous practice for the show. Our Guru, Smt. Sheela Unnikrishnan has choreographed two special pieces of dance in the Melattur style of Bharatanatyam, specially for Olympics performance. The first one is Nataraja Sthothram, a dance which is an exotic blend of Yogasanas from Pathanjali's Yoga Sutra and Karanas and Charis

PAST TENSE I started as a trickle, Nothing about me fickle Down a pristine glacier I flow; Merry, bright and all glow. Twisting and tumbling over pebbles With foam, froth and spherical bubbles I swirl and surge day and night Through dawn, dusk and even twilight. What is this? A new terrain? Through my shallows flow a drain. I am being pelted with waste and garbage Cans, cartons and even a rotten cabbage. I slow my spirit, cautious and wary, Feeling like a pitiful quarry. 'Is this what I was born for?' I wonder "To be harassed at every meander?' I merge with the sprawling ocean which looks nothing like a calming salvation. Through a sudden epiphany I realised my friends, That my happiness was long gone and is now past tense. by Bhairavi Venkatesan